Read Novel Full Vol 3 Chapter 4 Part 1
Here’s the chapter. Enjoy~
Chapter 4 – Trial Ceremony
Part 1
Then came the day of the trial ceremony.
The four of them stood in a huge outdoor ceremony hall.
An orange flag flew under a blue sky, and a large number of people in the audience seats were eagerly waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“As expected for a national event, the crowd was even larger than expected.”
“It’s finally here…!”
“I wonder what kind of trial is waiting here!”
“Ugh, I’m so nervous…!”
The audience watched with a mixture of anticipation and fear.
“Who will be the next emperor?”
“I hope Xiaolin-sama will do her best… but I guess it will be difficult without the dragon power…”
“I hear the journey through the trial is hard… It’s unfortunate, but I just hope she returns home safely.”
The young but intelligent Xiaolin was very popular among the people, but because she could not use her dragon power, it was thought that it would be difficult for her to assume the imperial throne.
Hearing this, Lexia smiled wryly.
“If Xiaolin-sama wins and becomes emperor, everyone will be surprised! I’m looking forward to it!”
In the middle of the crowd that was buzzing like a wave, there was a corner that was heavily guarded.
Luna muttered to herself as she looked at the people sitting there, wearing luxurious clothes and decorations.
“As the gatekeeper said, there seem to be many distinguished guests from other countries present.”
“This is an important event for the next emperor of the Thousand Year Empire, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. This event is of great significance to the politics and international relations of other countries, so it attracts attention from all over the world.”
Lexia noticed part of the guest of honor’s seat.
“Ara? That’s…”
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A seat of honor where kings and nobles from around the world sit side by side.
Sitting in a luxurious chair, Arnold, King of the Kingdom of Arcelia─Lexia’s father─was grave.
“The trial ceremony… I have no desire to interfere in other cultures, but my heart freezes at the thought of sending Lexia on such a dangerous trial. …But Lexia hasn’t sent me a letter, and I wonder where she is now…”
He held his forehead and let out a groan of pain.
Lexia said, “I’m going on a journey to save the world!” And it was some time ago that she and her companion, Luna, ran out of the castle. Since then, Lexia has not asked for help, and Arnold, who never stopped loving Lexia, has spent his days in frustration and despair.
At that moment, Owen, his escort standing next to him, noticed four shadows standing in the hall.
“Hmm? ──Yo-Your Majesty, look at that!”
Arnold opened his eyes to see what Owen was pointing at.
“Lexia──!”
He found his beloved daughter and yelled, forgetting what he had done.
“W-w-w-w-w-why is Lexia in the Lianxi Empire’s trial ceremony?”
“Yo-Your Majesty, please keep your voice down! I understand your feelings, but there are other countries watching!”
Arnold was about to jump out of his skin, but Owen tried his best to restrain him.
Lexia, noticing their appearance, rushed over with Luna and the others.
“Father and Owen! It’s been a long time!”
“It’s been too long!”
“Why are you here, Lexia?”
When the two men unintentionally snarled at her, Lexia said nonchalantly.
“Ara, Father gave me permission to come here, you know that, don’t you? To save the world!”
“No, that’s true, but what in the world brought you here…! I mean, I told you to send a letter! I had received news from Princess Laila of the Royal Kingdom that you had solved the overthrow of the Sahar Kingdom, but I haven’t heard from you since, and you know how worried I was…!
“Ara, that’s strange. I thought Schleimann-sama had sent you a letter.”
“Huh? By Schleimann-sama, do you mean Emperor Schleimann of the Romel Empire?”
“Yes. We defeated the ‘Ice Spirit of the Cursed King’ in the Romel Empire and cleared the cursed blizzard.”
“This is news to me.”
“Not only did you save the Sahar Kingdom, but you also saved the Romel Empire from a crisis?”
“Maybe there was a misunderstanding.”
Luna muttered calmly, and Arnold grunted in dismay.
“I-I never realized that you could actually accomplish such a tremendous feat… a great adventure on the scale of saving the world. …But for now, I’m glad you’re not injured.”
Seeing Arnold’s shoulders relax slightly, Tito whispers to Luna.
“U-um, is that person…?”
“Yes. He is Lexia’s father.”
“T-the king of the Arcelia Kingdom?”
When Tito accidentally exclaimed, Arnold looked at her suspiciously.
“Hmm? Who is this beastman girl…?”
“This is Tito. I met her in the desert, and she became my friend. She’s a disciple of the Claw Saint!”
“N-nice to meet you; my name is Tito! Lexia-san has been a great help to me!”
“Huh, it’s the same here; my daughter is under your care… Wait, you’re the disciple of the Claw Saint?”
“T-This young girl is a disciple of the Claw Saint, one of the strongest in the world who has mastered the Claw Technique…”
As Arnold and Owen looked at her, Lexia puffed out her chest.
“Yes, she’s very strong and very beautiful!”
“I-I heard Princess Laila say something like that, but I didn’t think she was really one of them…!”
“And such a young girl…!”
Owen, who had been taken aback, coughed and interrupted.
“Anyway, I think you’ve had enough. Please return to the Kingdom of Arcelia at once!”
“I don’t want to! We promised to win the trial and make Xiaolin-sama the emperor!”
“D-don’t tell me you’re going to attend the trial ceremony?”
“Yes. Together with Xiaolin-sama.”
Lexia turned around smiling, and Xiaolin walked out nervously.
“This is my first time meeting you, Your Majesty Arnold. I am Xiaolin, fourth in line to the throne of the Lianxi Empire.”
“We have become Xiaolin-sama’s tutors!”
“What? You’re the tutor of the candidate for the next emperor…?”
“Yes. So, of course, I’ll follow her on her trial.”
“I don’t know what’s going on anymore…!”
Arnold leaned back impatiently next to Owen, who was clutching his stomach.
“B-but I hear the trial is tough, and if anything should go wrong…!”
“Exactly. As a tutor, I can’t let Xiaolin-sama go through such a dangerous trial alone. You don’t have to worry so much, because I have a very strong and lovely Luna and Tito! Besides, Xiaolin-sama has been working hard and has become very strong!”
“That’s not the point…!”
At that moment, a gong sounded to announce the beginning of the ceremony!
“Oh no, the ceremony will start soon! See you later, Father!”
“W-wait, Lexia…!”
“Ah, here’s a fan I bought in the capital! Use it to cool your head!”
“This is a tea that is said to be good for stomach aches. It’s good for both of you. Don’t worry too much. We’ll be with her.”
Lexia pushed the fan to Arnold, and Luna handed the tea leaves to Owen.
With no time to stop them, Lexia and the others ran lightly back to the hall.
“Lexia, come back! Lexia!”
“Your Majesty! I understand your feelings, but please put this matter to rest for now…”
“Kuuhh…! Please, please come back safe and sound…!”
Arnold’s bloodcurdling prayer melted away in the heat of the venue.
The opening ceremony was about to begin amidst all the turmoil.