Chapter 621: Chapter 418: Empire Celebration_2 Chapter 621: Chapter 418: Empire Celebration_2 Chen Lun took a seat in the area of the Generous Council, which was located to the far left in the second row, providing a clear view of many prominent figures.
“That must be the Sun Princess… and the Prince?”
Chen Lun glanced at the front row where a beautiful figure with her golden hair in a bun, wearing a diamond-studded crown and a pristine white gown, was sitting quietly in the center, with a young man next to her in a gold cotton coat and a robe, also adorned with a crown.
Noticing his gaze, the Prince slowly turned his head, showing a friendly smile and nodded toward him. Chen Lun, seeing this, also smiled politely and made a gesture across his chest in response.
‘And there’s the Archbishop of the Solar Monastery from the Sun Church… Terence is also here.’
Chen Lun looked to the other side, where a group of white-robed monks sat next to the Royal Family members, somber and quiet yet emanating a warm aura.
Terence, an old acquaintance, was sitting among them; however, Chen Lun noticed that he, like other high-ranking individuals, was merely an incarnation.
One by one, the high-ups from the Empire’s Shelter and the other Righteous God Churches arrived and took their seats… Most of these dignitaries remained silent, not keen on idle talk, but some with closer relations whispered to each other.
Time slowly passed by.
Unknowingly, it was ten o’clock in the morning.
The bright light of the Sun shone through the clouds, illuminating the entire plaza.
A pale-skinned, clean-shaven middle-aged man stepped forward to the podium and picked up the microphone. He was dressed in a lavish gold turtleneck, standing erect with an air of distinction.
This was Babayeh, the Steward of the Sun Royal Family, a “veteran” who had served the Royal Family for dozens of years. He announced the beginning of the Empire’s celebration in a slow yet solemn voice.
The crowd below cheered excitedly, fists raised high.
After waiting with a smile for about ten seconds, Babayeh raised his hand to pacify the crowd, and they instantly quieted down. Then the Steward invited Prince Dazlert to step forward, indicating that the Prince would deliver the speech next.
Under many fervent gazes, the Prince, with a smile, rose from his seat, moved to the front of the podium, and took the microphone from Babayeh.
“Citizens of the Empire, I will represent the Father King in presiding over this celebration… Although the Tresor Empire has just gone through a disaster, fortunately, the Empire as a whole came together to overcome this calamity. I am very grateful for everyone’s trust and support for the Empire, as well as for the contributions made by the Seven Righteous God Churches during this disaster…”
The Prince spoke with ease, his back hand behind him, the other lightly lifting the microphone to his mouth.
His voice was gentle and moving, and during the nearly twenty-minute speech, he brought the audience to tears more than once.
“… Today is the Empire’s annual celebration day and also the first festive day for all of us after the Red Calamity. This is a memorable milestone and a day that should be recorded in the Empire’s history… Starting from today, for the next week, there will be corresponding tax reduction and financial subsidies for shops and houses in the three major urban areas.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity!”
“Long live Tresor! Long live the Empire!”
The crowd at Fire Pattern Plaza was elated, with waves of fervent cheers following one after another.
Several fireworks shot into the sky and blossomed into a stunning, bright golden Sun pattern, making the audience feel extraordinarily honored and joyful amidst the grandiose display.
Above on the platform, the Prince gently looked up, with the reflection of the fireworks in his eyes and a smile on his lips.
The fireworks had finished blooming.
“Next is the Imperial Judgement Group’s award ceremony, where nine new members will join, contributing to the Empire’s future peace and stability,”
the Prince said slowly.
The audience below was somewhat puzzled because this portion of the celebration had never been included before, and they rarely heard of the “Imperial Judgement Group.” They could only guess that it might be a military institution of the Royal Family, similar to the Security Office and Shelter.
Chen Lun stood up at the prompting of a steward from the back and walked forward with eight other young men and women.
During this process, he could clearly feel many different gazes upon him, filled with curiosity, confusion, indifference, and hostility, among which was a particularly hostile look from the Royal Family members that caught Chen Lun’s attention.
Without making it obvious, he followed his instincts and glanced in that direction, catching sight of a middle-aged man staring at him coldly.
The man was dressed in a golden suit and wore a wide-brimmed hat adorned with gold and white, with a wreath on the brim embedded with eight topazes, indicative of a Duke’s attire.
Chen Lun shook his head inwardly and then looked away.
Recently, this Duke had gone to the Generous Church to claim someone on account of Peter’s affair, and he had been righteously refused by Chen Lun… At the time, Chen Lun felt that this Duke should not have any relations with a Sequence Eight Transcendent without a title.
Thus, he had requested information from the headquarters’ intelligence department of the council that day and quickly learned the Duke’s close ties with Terence, leading him to guess that the Duke might be harboring resentment by association.
After dispatching Golov and his two companions for investigation, Chen Lun performed divination and easily linked the clues together, uncovering the rough truth behind it all.
Viscount Lait’s actions, which he thought were secret, could not escape Chen Lun’s notice.