Conquering The Novel

With his attire fitting for the solemn occasion, Ares made his way to the grand hall where King Artemur's funeral was being held. The hall was adorned with black draperies, casting a somber atmosphere that matched the weight of their loss.

As he entered the hall, Ares noticed the hushed whispers and mournful gazes of the kingdom's high-ranking officials. The air was heavy with grief, and the collective sorrow filled the space, and though they had many questions on their minds, a respectful silence hung in the air.

A grand podium stood at the front, adorned with flowers and candles, serving as the centerpiece for King Artemur's final farewell. A large portrait of the late king, resplendent in his regal attire, overlooked the somber gathering.

Ares walked forward, his steps measured and his expression composed. As he passed by each mourner, he could feel their eyes upon him, a mix of curiosity, sympathy, and expectation. They looked to him as the last remaining heir, the one who would carry the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders.

Finding a place among the dignitaries and officials, Ares took his position, his eyes fixed on the draped casket that held the lifeless body of King Artemur. Memories of their limited interaction flickered through his mind and the power he had passed on to him in his last moments.

As he stood there, surrounded by the kingdom's grief, he pondered. '...I will put that power to good use.'

The ceremony soon began, with prayers and hymns resonating through the chamber, filling the space with solemn melodies.

As the service drew to a close, Ares felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. The funeral marked the end of an era, a chapter in the kingdom's history that would forever be etched in the hearts of its people. And with it, a new chapter would begin—one where Ares would be thrust into the role of a king.

Once King Artemur's body had been transformed into particles, symbolically returning to the kingdom he had ruled, Ares rose from his seat and exited the chamber, leaving behind the memories of King Artemur's reign.

But there was only one thing on his mind: he had now gained access to an army at his disposal, which he could utilize whenever the need arose.

***

The sun began its descent, casting an orange glow over the Escratia Kingdom as preparations were underway for Ares' grand coronation. The palace grounds buzzed with activity, as workers meticulously decorated the venue, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the momentous occasion.

News of the coronation had spread far and wide, attracting the attention of reporters from all corners of the realm. They had arrived in droves, setting up their cameras and microphones, eager to capture the historic event.

Among the crowd, whispers and speculations circulated about who would ascend the throne in the absence of any direct heirs. Many believed that the mysterious second son, who had been taken away as a disciple, would be the rightful heir. Little did they know that the unexpected would soon unfold before their eyes.

As the appointed hour neared, the crowd grew restless, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the new king. The reporters, with their cameras at the ready, jostled for the best vantage points, eager to capture the moment when the mysterious second son of late King Artemur would make his entrance.

Suddenly, the trumpets blared, signaling the imminent arrival of the soon-to-be-crowned king. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as the massive palace doors swung open.

All eyes turned toward the entrance of the courtyard, their expressions shifting from curiosity to disbelief.

!?

A figure emerged, his regal presence commanding attention. Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as Ares stepped forward, clad in royal attire befitting a king. His stoic expression and determined gaze sent a wave of disbelief through the reporters.

"...A-Ares?" One of them uttered under his breath, his eyes widening in shock. The news of Ares' death had spread like wildfire in the past few days, and many mourned the loss of this young talent. But now, to everyone's surprise, Ares not only proved to be alive but he was also being crowned as the new king.

Amidst this sudden turn of events and the deaths of all the royalties in one night, conclusions began to form in the minds of the reporters. Speculations arose that Ares might have played a role in the tragic events, with news of explosions and destruction from the previous night.

Gasps of astonishment filled the air, followed by a flurry of camera shutters and reporters scrambling to capture this unexpected turn of events. The frenzy of the reporters intensified as they realized that the prince they had assumed to be dead stood before them, about to be crowned as the new king.

Flashbulbs erupted like fireworks, capturing the stunning revelation before their lenses. Questions flew through the air, shouted from reporters eager to be the first to uncover the truth. Ares walked with measured steps, unaffected by the frenzy around him, his gaze fixed on the podium where the coronation ceremony would take place.

As he ascended the steps, the atmosphere crackled with excitement and curiosity. All eyes were on him, waiting for him to address the kingdom that had believed him to be lost. The weight of their expectations bore down upon him, but he stood tall, unwavering.

'...The moment has finally come, huh,' Ares thought to himself. 'I never dreamed, nor ever wanted, to be a king and be bound by something. But it seems I have no other choice but to take on this role to fulfill what I wanted to do,' he pondered.

The ceremony commenced with a solemn procession of nobles and dignitaries, each paying their respects to the new king. Ares listened intently to the words spoken by the High Chancellor, pledging loyalty, wisdom, and protection to the kingdom and its people.

"Your Highness, the time has come for you to accept your rightful place as the ruler of Escratia," the High Chancellor declared, his voice resonating with authority.

Ares nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I humbly accept the responsibility bestowed upon me. I stand before you, ready to shoulder the burdens of leadership and serve my kingdom with unwavering dedication and honor," he proclaimed with conviction.

The room filled with anticipation as the moment everyone had been waiting for drew near—the crowning of the new king. The crown, a symbol of power and authority, lay resting on a velvet cushion, waiting to be placed upon Ares' head.

Ares stood tall before the High Chancellor, his gaze steady and resolute. With a solemn nod, the High Chancellor lifted the crown from the cushion and approached Ares. He carefully positioned the crown above Ares' head, the weight of it settling upon him with a tangible significance.

The room fell into a hushed silence as the crown found its rightful place. The jeweled adornments shimmered under the light, casting a radiant glow. Ares' expression remained composed, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the moment.

As the crown settled upon his head, the high chancellor gestured him toward the majestic throne.

Wasting no time, Ares proceeded and took his seat on the throne, feeling the weight of the crown upon him, a physical reminder of his newfound authority.

Just as he made himself comfortable on the throne, a notification from his system appeared before him, catching his attention.

Ding!—

{Ruler's Authority Is Now Active!}

In that very instant, a brilliant light burst forth from Ares, reaching toward the skies, and illuminating the room with its majestic glow.

Swoosh—

!?

To be continued...