Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 268

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Episode 11

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The first succession ceremony presided over by the King after his ascension held deep political significance for both the King and the nobles.

This was because newly crowned kings who had not yet established proper power bases typically used their first succession ceremony to grant authority to nobles who would become their allies.

Although Mikhail had been prepared to sit on the throne since his days as Crown Prince, he was not free from the aftermath of bringing down his father through treason charges.

In politics, justification and process were as important as results. Mikhail spent a full five years restoring his damaged legitimacy and was able to drive out all remaining forces of the deposed king and queen.

Only then did he host the first succession ceremony he had postponed.

Thus, the somewhat hastily held succession ceremony was exceptionally grand, as if it had been carefully prepared for a very long time.

The nobles who attended the succession ceremony kept a close eye on the emerging forces who would receive the King’s trust in the future.

Most were young nobles, and their eyes shone fervently with loyalty and trust toward the King.

Among them, the most conspicuous was naturally Leo Blanche.

The hero of humanity, who was not just young but almost childlike, waited with composure beyond his years for the King’s attendant to call his name.

The nobles whispered that this was truly the dignity befitting a hero, but in truth, Leo’s mind was filled entirely with worry about Chaser.

‘Still nowhere to be seen.’

Whenever he had a chance, he scanned his surroundings, but nowhere could he see the faces of those he was looking for.

Having headed to the Royal Palace early in the morning for the succession ceremony, he had not yet received news that Chaser had been safely captured and confined.

Whether aware of Leo’s anxious heart or not, the massive mahogany door showed no intention of opening.

In the end, Leo stood before Mikhail without seeing those he was waiting for burst through the mahogany door, gasping for breath.

His heart was restless. This kind of succession ceremony wasn’t what mattered.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘I have no choice but to finish the succession ceremony as quickly as possible and set out to find my teacher.’

With this resolve, Leo knelt on one knee with a loud thud and poured out words without pause for breath.

“The first bloodline of Marquess Blanche pledges loyalty to the sun of the Kingdom.”

Mikhail, who stood before Leo wearing ceremonial dress as splendid as what he had worn at his coronation, hesitated.

Leo’s eyes, looking up at him earnestly with his head slightly bowed, were speaking.

‘Please make it as quick as possible, Your Majesty.’

Thinking this must be the expression Belinda often described as ‘when our Jui-bam-tol begs to have his head petted,’ Mikhail smiled lightly.

Then he spoke loudly for all to hear.

“I can see how eagerly you have awaited this day.”

Light laughter erupted from among the people. Thanks to this, no one blamed Leo for his rudeness.

Taking advantage of this moment, Mikhail whispered quietly enough for only Leo to hear.

“You don’t need to be so anxious. It seems the people you were waiting for have arrived.”

“Ah…”

Relief washed over him, and Leo’s face flushed red as he belatedly realized his own rudeness.

Mikhail, who had placed a laurel wreath on his head, spoke leisurely.

“The first bloodline of Marquess Blanche may rise from his position.”

Leo, who stood up while enduring the belated throbbing pain in his knee, glanced sideways around him.

Mikhail was right. Near the mahogany door stood those Leo had been waiting for so eagerly.

Belinda, who was catching her breath while half-leaning against Cesar, having apparently rushed here.

Cesar, unusually dressed in splendid ceremonial attire from head to toe.

And even the Magister, who was holding the front and back paws of a black cat together and wearing it around his neck like a fox stole.

Only then did Leo’s face brighten. They had finally found Chaser.

He wanted to run to them immediately, but he couldn’t repeat the same mistake.

Leo immediately turned his back on the Duke couple and the Magister and looked straight only at Mikhail.

At the hero’s purity in finally focusing on the succession ceremony, Mikhail laughed as if he couldn’t help it.

And he began to execute the plan that had flashed in his mind a month ago.

“I have been remiss in my treatment of the Kingdom’s hero all this time.”

“Those are undeserved words.”

“You speak humbly. But isn’t this a matter of national prestige? Therefore, I wish to give you a gift befitting your fame and honor, even now.”

Questions appeared on the faces of not only Leo but also the nobles present. What kind of gold and silver treasures was he planning to gift that he would speak of ‘hero treatment’ now?

“I pondered what a marquess might need and sought advice from someone I know well.”

When Mikhail gestured lightly, two attendants who had been waiting behind brought a huge scroll and hung it on a stand. What unfurled was a map of the Kingdom.

Confirming that people’s gazes had gathered on the map, Mikhail continued leisurely.

“I have decided to grant you an estate.”

On the intricately drawn map of the Kingdom, there was one land without a name written on it.

Leo’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly grand scale of the gift.

The land marked on the map was royal demesne facing Baluashten Territory. It was certainly a great gift, but its location was ambiguous.

The Blanche Family were central nobles based in the Royal Capital. To grant such distant northern land to the Blanches.

If it were after establishing himself to some degree, it might be different, but for the time being, Marquess Blanche would have no choice but to leave the Royal Capital to organize his estate.

Was the King ultimately trying to send the continent’s hero far away out of wariness?

As suspicion began to cloud the nobles’ faces, Mikhail concluded his words.

“Furthermore, while recognizing Leo Blanche’s Blanche title, in recognition of his merit in bringing peace to the continent, I grant him the title of Margrave to rule the estate.”

“Your Majesty!”

“How can this be!”

As if this had not been discussed with his retainers, shock burst from several nobles.

Mikhail paid no heed and asked Leo while looking at the map.

“Now that it has become the Marquess’s land, it will need a new name. If the Marquess doesn’t mind, I would like to make a recommendation.”

“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

Leo answered with a somewhat bewildered expression.

The person Mikhail had consulted was surely Belinda.

‘Why did Lady Belinda want to gift me an estate using His Majesty’s power?’

As he tilted his head, unable to guess Belinda’s intention.

The scribe, having received the King’s command, wrote down a new name on the map where the place name was blank.

The moment the scribe, who had written the new place name in elegant handwriting, stepped aside.

“How about ‘Endymion’?”

“…!”

Leo could understand Belinda’s intention.

Endymion.

That was none other than Leo’s original name.

“Margrave Endymion, it suits you well.”

“…It is an honor beyond measure.”

Leo repeated that name several times in his mind. It seemed he could hear the voices of beloved ones sunken in his memories whispering in his ears.

Just then, someone among the nobles raised their voice.

“Your Majesty, a margrave? This is a title that does not make sense.”

It was Marquess Hanel, the sole surviving force of the deposed queen and a member of the deposed king’s maternal family.

He continued speaking in a gentle voice, though his face barely suppressed anger.

“A margrave is a special title for protecting one’s country from foreign nations. However, the land Your Majesty has granted does not border foreign countries, does it not? A marquess rather than margrave would seem appropriate.”

Marquess Hanel’s words were without fault.

Margrave was a title given to owners of estates specialized in border defense. Therefore, they could exercise greater power in administrative and military matters than ordinary marquesses.

Mikhail also nodded as if Marquess Hanel’s words were reasonable.

“Your words are correct.”

“Then according to my opinion, about a marquess level…”

“If it had been two days ago, that is.”

Mikhail smiled with leisure evident on his face, and the deposed king’s forces felt ominousness in that smile.

This was because the king, secretly called the slaughterer of state council meetings, always smiled like that before throwing out radical opinions.

Then Mikhail called out the name of the Duke of Baluashten.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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