Chapter 294: Throne Hall

Rhea and others stepped into the Palace through the entrance, walked on the well-carpeted vast corridor, and moved to the Grand Marble Hall.

As they walked on the corridor, hundreds of servants knelt on both sides and sprinkled flowers on the carpet from time to time.

They soon entered the Grand Marble Hall and noticed multiple High-Class Nobles, more than 5 Rank-4 Mages, foreign ambassadors, and even a few white-robed Bishops seated on the sofas.

Upon noticing their arrival, most of them stood up from their seats and greeted Rhea and Oswald with a nod.

Only Duke Foster, Griffon Family Head Andy, and two more members from Amber Church remained on their seats.

Rhea calmly glanced at them, took the lead, and continued to walk on the carpeted path.

They soon walked past the Banquet Hall, Ball Room, and Royal Library and finally arrived in front of a locked metallic gate.

At that moment, the black-haired butler took out a fist-sized golden key and passed it to Rhea.

"Although we changed sides due to situation circumstances, we hadn't allowed any foreigners or other Royal Family members to enter the Throne Hall, Your Highness." The butler said with a complicated look on his face.

On the other hand, Rhea nodded her head, took the iron key from his hand, and moved it towards the keyhole.

She then skillfully inserted the key and turned it to the right side.

A moment later, a metal clicking noise echoed in the corridor, followed by a loud rumbling noise.

Rhea raised both her hands when the rumbling noise ended, placed them on the gate, and pushed it harder.

A loud metal screeching noise echoed in the Palace.

Then, the metallic gate opened and revealed a grand hall to everyone's sight.

Pair of magic lamps enclosed each of the ten marble columns, illuminated most of the throne hall, and engulfed everything in a flickering radiance.

An amber rug ran from the throne to the doors and was matched by smaller ones on either side of the hall while rectangular banners with emblazoned crowns droop from the walls.

A tall candle stood between each banner. Some of the candles have been lit and illuminated the artistic depictions of folk heroes and legends below them.

Amber-colored curtains enclosed huge, stained glass windows depicting important moments of victory. The curtains appeared to be adorned with decorating tips and gold leaves.

An imposing throne of Iron remained in front of a giant painting of the kingdom and was adjoined by two smaller and less elaborate seats for the Royal Family members.

The throne was covered in symbolic emblems, and fixed on each broad foot was a gem-encrusted dragon.

Many extravagant and comfortable alder benches, chairs, and sofas were placed on the aisle of the throne hall, all of which were diagonally facing the throne.

"Go and sit on the throne, lass." Oswald looked at the grand Throne Hall and spoke.

Meanwhile, Rhea hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and started walking towards the throne.

On the other hand, Oswald and others also followed after her in silence.

While they were walking on the aisle, tens of silver-armored guards entered the throne hall and spread out in different directions.

Some moved near to the dais, a few moved towards the pillars, and the others stayed near the aisle.

They all held spears in their hands and appeared imposing.

Meanwhile, only one guard in his golden armor followed after Oswald and others and soon arrived near the dais in silence.

Without minding his presence, Oswald glanced at Noel, Titus, and Ashley and then spoke.

"You three should go and seats in the front row. I will take care of the rest."

Saying so, he followed after her, stepped on the dais, appeared in front of the metallic Iron Throne, and sat on the nearby small seat.

Meanwhile, Rhea turned around, adjusted her ceremonial dress, sat on the Iron Throne, and looked at the throne hall from above like an overseer.

Her gaze wandered towards the stiffened guards and soon landed on the golden-armored guard.

He was a man in his forties, had long grey hair, amber eyes, a bit muscular, and appeared to be around 185 cm high.

He was much taller than the rest of the guard and looked imposing.

Upon noticing her gaze, the golden armored guard removed his helmet, lowered his spear, and bowed his head slightly.

"Kings Guard Captain Eric greets the rightful heir of the Iron Kingdom!" His thundering voice echoed in the hall.

But there was not even a single trace of anxiousness that appeared on Rhea's face.

"Tell your position in the Palace and also your Rank, Mr. Eric." She said in a soft tone.

Upon hearing her words, Eric frowned a bit and spoke.

"I'm a Rank-4 [Noble Lord] Class Mystic, Your Highness. As for my position, I'm in charge of Palace's security."

His voice contains a trace of pride.

At that moment, Oswald took out a silver pocket watch from his space ring, opened the outer case, and looked into it.

'7.40. A.M.' He muttered inwardly, looked at Eric, and ordered.

"Go and tell others to come in. We have to start the coronation ceremony before 8 A.M."

Upon hearing his words, anger flashed on Eric's face.

"I only take order from the Royal Family member, Mage Oswald." He responded in a cold tone.

Before Oswald could say another word, Rhea raised her hand and spoke coldly.

"He will be the Guardian of Boneflare Family from now on, Mr. Eric. His words represent my will."

A shock appeared on Eric's face.

Soon, he returned to his normal state and shook his head in disappointment.

"This isn't something you could decide on your own, Your Highness. You need to get the approval of Nobles, Iron Tower Mages, and Griffon Family." He paused for a moment and then added calmly.

"Moreover, you haven't crowned yet, Your Highness."

'He is too arrogant.' Even Oswald felt that he was showing disrespectful behavior to the future monarch!

'Is this because of his personal strength? It seems Rank-4 Mystics aren't easy to deal with.' He couldn't help but show a wry smile on his face.

On the other hand, Rhea maintained her calm look and gestured him to do his work.

Without having any other choice, Eric gritted his teeth while turning around, went towards the Throne Hall entrance, and told everyone to come in.

In the next few seconds, tens of luxurious dressed Nobles robed Mages, ambassadors, and the Churches' representatives entered the Throne Hall one by one, walked on the aisle, and found a suitable place to sit.

Then, a white-robed lady in her late sixties entered the hall, held a golden throne in her hand, and started walking on the aisle.

She had long, deep-blue hair, oceanic eyes, and a heart-shaped face.

She was the Head Priestess of Water Elemental Temple!

After the white-robed lady was another three men in grey robes, they appeared more like priests!

'Head Priests of the four ancient temples of Iron Kingdom.' Oswald stared at their action in curious.

On the other hand, the white-robed Head Priestess soon arrived in front of the dais, gave the golden crown to the nearby priest, and started to chant.

Her voice appeared sacred and calm as she recited the verses.

While chanting, she also took out a water pouch from her space ring, stepped on the dais, arrived in front of Rhea, and used the water to clean her hands and feet.

After that, she glanced at the other priest, ended the chanting, and spoke.

"Theo, pass me the pot of Life Water."

Upon hearing her words, a grey-robed priest went on the dais, took out a large sealed mud pot from his space ring, and gave it to her.

The head priestess caught the mud pot, opened it, and added.

"Go and place the candles around the dais."

Saying so, she moved the pot above Rhea's head and directly poured the cold water on her head!

To others' surprise, not a single drop of water drenched her ceremonial dress and absorbed it directly into her body.

Simultaneously, the blue-gem embedded ring in her right hand shone brightly and turned into a bluish cloud of smoke.

Upon seeing such a strange ceremony, low-class nobles, Churches' representatives, and even some mages started discussing with others in whispers.

As if the Head Priestess had heard their thoughts, she cleared her throat and spoke in a calm tone.

"During the Era of Ancients, Mages believed water as pure and sacred. This pot of water is filled with Life Water from the Water Elemental Plane. As long as Her Highness's body and heart are pure, she will be able to absorb the Life Water into her body. This first rite is also used to check whether some imposter used her blood to change shapes. The First King of Iron Kingdom once mentioned that there exists a race who could achieve such feet. But this Life Water can show us whether the person is an imposter and an original one. Worry not. This is Rhea Boneflare's original body."

Her words caused everyone in the hall to widen their eyes in shock.