On this day, the weather was exceptionally fine.
On the fertile great plains, the sky was clear and cloudless, as countless beastmen stood atop this newly erected majestic Royal City, watching a handsome and commanding beastman ascend step by step the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, arriving at the highest platform of the entire Royal City.
There, robed in white, the Great Priest Wu Luo held the Scepter in hand, smiling as he watched Ovis approach.
"Lord Wu Luo," he said with a smile, looking at the female beast he desired.
But Gu Shengyin, uncharacteristically, bent at the waist for the first time in her high priestess’ dignity: "Your Majesty Ovis."
Her curtsy at this moment was tantamount to acknowledging before all the beastmen that the royal authority was above that of the high priest.
Ovis felt a warmth around his eyes; he wanted to step forward to stop her, to prevent her from bending, for he couldn’t bear to see her slighted.
He knew she had deliberately done so today in order to establish his own authority, and he couldn’t let her kindness go unheeded.
He stood quietly, watching this ever-dignified female beast complete her full curtsy to him.
Afterward, Gu Shengyin picked up the Crown she had designed herself—its pure gold color exquisitely carved with the emblem of the Owl Clan, both luxurious and majestic.
Ovis lowered his head, allowing her to place the heavy Crown upon his brow.
"Long live the King! Long live, long live!" she bowed once again to the young and handsome Emperor.
Following her gesture, all the beastmen below the platform knelt down in unison.
"Long live the King! Long live, long live!"
"Long live the King! Long live, long live!"
"Long live the King! Long live, long live!"
The congratulatory roar rose like a tidal wave over the entire plain, every face flush with excitement as they gazed upon their newly minted King.
Suddenly, a rainbow of colors appeared in the sky, and to the beastmen below the platform, it seemed as though it enveloped their new Emperor, the indistinct figure of Ovis haloed as if by a Celestial God.
"By the Beast God above!"
The beastmen who had just risen kneeled once again.
Such an extraordinary omen must surely be the Beast God’s blessing for their King!
If the High Priest was right, their King would lead this newly established Beastman Empire into a new era.
At that moment, their King performed a gesture that surprised all the beastmen.
He turned around and took the hand of the High Priestess, who had been standing quietly to one side.
"Long live the Queen! Long live, long live!" he shouted loud and clear, his voice reaching the ears of every beastman.
Would the all-powerful Lord Wu Luo become the Queen to their new King?
All the beastmen were stirred, shouting after their King:
"Long live the Queen! Long live, long live!"
Ovis held Gu Shengyin’s hand as they both enjoyed the congratulations and blessings from all their subjects.
"You said, Wu Luo, when I became the most noble and powerful beastman on the continent, you would become my partner," said Ovis, now a grown man, looking at the High Priestess he’d admired since his youth.
Gu Shengyin actively squeezed his hand back, her face bearing a joyous smile like his: "Yes, My Emperor."
"I will be with you, together watching over this land we conquered together, the kingdom we’ve built together."
Ovis leaned in to embrace her: "All I want is you by my side, to share in this supreme glory."
He turned abruptly and declared loudly: "The Queen holds equal honor with me!"
King and Queen, equally revered. This became the rule established by the first Emperor of the Beastman Empire, a law that remained unchanged for thousands of years as they ruled the continent.
All of this, however, had no bearing on present-day Gu Shengyin.
What she was doing now was simply joining hands with her lover, her partner, to share a lifetime together.