Coronation Ceremony

"Is that really Liyana?" Mo Lini muttered, looking at the figure above the Elven Throne.

At this moment, Liyana was dressed in a magnificent green gown, sitting upright on the Elven Throne. Her expression was solemn, projecting a natural authority without anger, as if she were the conscious incarnation of this ancient forest.

Not many people were allowed to attend the coronation ceremony; the fact that Xia Lun and the others could be here was already an exception.

Aside from Xia Lun's group, there were only the astrologers draped in deep blue robes. They were arranged in a solemn square formation like scattered stars. Each firmly planted an oak staff inlaid with moonstone vertically in front of them, chanting ancient and obscure Elven words. It sounded like the whispers of the forest, offering silent prayers to the figure on the throne.

Mo Lini stared at Liyana above, seemingly guessing what this girl was thinking right now.

Liyana's emerald eyes suddenly looked over, and she blinked rapidly at Xia Lun and the others.

Mo Lini understood immediately... Liyana was asking for help.

And it was obvious that she was panicking right now. If she actually put on the crown next, her status as the Elven Queen would be solidified, with no possibility of breaking free.

Mo Lini clearly had no ideas, so she could only look at Xia Lun beside her.

Xia Lun and Aina, however, were admiring the design of the surrounding royal palace with great interest.

"What do you think of that throne, Aina?"

"It feels pretty nice." Aina's crimson eyes flickered with a hint of radiance.

"Should I get one for you in the future?" Xia Lun asked.

"Mhm... get one!" Aina nodded quite seriously.

As the Demon King, she ought to have a throne too; she couldn't just sit on Xia Lun all the time.

Xia Lun stroked his chin and pondered, "Gold is too tacky... The color tone should be black or dark red, right? It would make you look full of majesty."

"I think light gray or silver-white would be nice too." Aina also began to daydream about the style of her throne.

"That is nice, a bit of contrast is also very good." Xia Lun nodded in deep agreement.

The vibe over there was a bit strange.

"Um... Xia Lun, Aina." Mo Lini finally couldn't hold back and spoke up in a low voice. "What about Liyana? Aren't you going to help her?"

"How can we help? We have no way either." Xia Lun shrugged. "Those elves aren't enemies, and we can't just directly attack and snatch Liyana back."

Mo Lini said, "But Liyana clearly doesn't want to be the Elven Queen."

"But according to Miss Sletta's divination, if Liyana doesn't become the Elven Queen, the elven race will suffer a terrible disaster..." Xia Lun looked at Liyana above and narrowed his eyes. "If that's really the case, Liyana should shoulder her responsibilities."

"It's not like they're asking for her life. Liyana should also rein in her temper."

Aina snorted softly from the side, her fingertips unconsciously playing with a strand of hair. If Liyana stayed here, it would actually be quite peaceful in the future. After all, sometimes that girl would still occasionally interrupt her and Xia Lun...

Chief Astrologer Sletta, holding a radiant and colorful crown, slowly walked to the front of the steps.

The crown seemed to be woven from vibrant, emerald vines. Its surface had a gem-like glossy texture, and every twist and turn contained the breath of the forest and fragments of the stars.

Liyana's mouth twitched uncontrollably. With a final glimmer of hope in her eyes, she couldn't help but shoot a few more glances at Xia Lun.

Was this guy really not going to save her?

She was a member of the Wings of Dawn!

They had clearly agreed back then to adventure to the ends of the world together...

But that was a thousand years ago, and Xia Lun had already died once. He might have forgotten.

What a heartless guy! He favors his lover over his friends! Now that he has Aina, he doesn't take her seriously anymore! In name, she was still Xia Lun's sister!

Xia Lun naturally didn't know how Liyana was criticizing him in her heart.

Sletta walked up the stairs, her pace neither fast nor slow. Every step seemed to tread on Liyana's taut heartstrings. Finally, she stopped before the throne and bowed slightly.

"Um... I really still want to be an adventurer," Liyana whispered pitifully.

"No can do, Lady Liyana. You can no longer say such willful things now." Sletta's smile remained gentle and radiant. She lifted the heavy crown of nature with both hands and slowly raised it toward the top of Liyana's head.

Liyana tried hard to tilt her neck, dodging it.

"Please do not make such futile struggles, Lady Liyana." Sletta was still smiling, her amusement not diminishing in the slightest.

From the armrests and back of the throne, several tough, emerald vines suddenly sprouted. They silently bound Liyana's wrists, ankles, and neck, tying her firmly to the seat.

Blocked by Sletta's figure, the astrologers below couldn't notice the situation up there at all.

Liyana: ...

The crown finally landed securely on Liyana's head.

Sletta began to clap, and the applause spread like a virus. The astrologers below also began to clap one after another. Instantly, thunderous applause filled the great hall, intertwining with cheers and prayers.

Only Liyana on the throne had a look of utter despair, as if she had nothing left to live for.

It was all over.

"When I build a throne for you in the future, I'll definitely choose a stone one," Xia Lun said to Aina down below. "Magic stone, or whatever gemstone you like."

"Is that so? I thought you would look forward to seeing me tied to the throne with vines too."

Xia Lun chuckled and said, "I am looking forward to it."

Aina pinched Xia Lun's waist. "Wishful thinking."

Xia Lun sighed. In reality, it was only ever him getting tied up by Aina's magic.

"Giving up already? Xia Lun, you have no conviction at all. How disappointing." Aina poked Xia Lun's arm again.

"Oh?"

"Mhm... When you can freely enter and exit the spirit world on your own, it wouldn't be impossible for me to offer that as a reward." The corners of Aina's mouth curled up into a smile.

Xia Lun held Aina's hand. "Then thank you very much, Lord Demon King."

Well... Xia Lun guessed that Aina definitely wanted to try out some new playstyles in her heart too.

Liyana walked down from the throne with a miserable face.

The surrounding astrologers all knelt down on one knee.

"Greetings, Your Majesty Liyana."

"Uh... rise. All of you, leave first."

The astrologers left, and the great hall suddenly became somewhat empty. Sletta still followed Liyana closely without leaving her side, as if guarding a hostage.

"Xia Lun... my life... is over," Liyana muttered to Xia Lun.

"It's fine." Xia Lun waved his hand. "Anyway, with your personality, you'll definitely cause some huge disaster soon and then get impeached."

Xia Lun's gaze turned to Sletta. "Alright, tell us your demands, Miss Sletta."