kscans

Chapter 56 - Descent of Moonlight

◆ Dark Elf Chief ◆

The sun set, and as the world was enveloped in darkness, the Founding Ceremony finally began. Envoys from every nation arrived at the venue.

"Wh-What is this!?"

Upon their arrival, the envoys were first stunned by the sight of the hall.

"A completely white venue!?"

The hall was painted entirely in white, with no other color in sight. Furthermore, the use of light magic to eliminate as many shadows as possible was, even though we had done it ourselves, an undeniably elaborate touch.

It wasn't that everything was the exact same color; subtly different shades of white had been used. This was the fruit of the cooperative efforts of many races, and upon its completion, even we were moved by the fact that we could create such a magnificent structure.

Moreover, we attendants were also clad in white robes from head to toe, with only our eyes visible. This was to avoid disrupting the color harmony of the venue.

"Is this truly the abode of a vampire...?"

Perhaps because the image of a vampire is associated with the red of blood or the black of the night, they could not hide their surprise at the pure white hall, which was like a sacred place. Rather, against this flawless white world, they seemed to feel a sense of confusion, as if they, in their colorful attire, were the stain that sullied the world.

Hehe, they are overwhelmed. When Lady Adolnel told us that the ceremony would be conducted with everything dyed white, I was perplexed as to why we would do such a strange thing, but seeing the envoys' bewilderment, I understood. This would indeed unsettle the opposing envoys and draw them into our pace. Overwhelmed, the envoys obediently followed our instructions and were led to their designated seats. Once they had regained their composure, they noticed the strangeness of their seating arrangement.

"Wait, what is this seating order?"

It was no wonder they were confused. At a ceremony, the most influential guests are seated at the front. However, some of the representatives from major powers had been guided to seats that were clearly meant for lower-ranking nations.

"What is the meaning of this? And why are the Centaurs and the Dwarf Race seated ahead of us!?"

Moreover, the envoys were more confused than displeased that nations and races that should have been of lower rank were seated in front of them. It was understandable. If it were nations of similar power, it might still be comprehensible, but to have a mere tribe of a single race, not even a nation, seated before them was baffling. But no one answered their questions, and we had no intention of doing so.

"Silence. Our master arrives."

With Lady Adolnel's voice, all the lights in the ceremony hall went out, and the pure white world was plunged into漆黒.

""""!?""""

Leaving the disoriented envoys behind, a light was born in the night sky.

"What is that!?"

The light slowly descended towards the ground.

Ah, what a divine light. I could not bring myself to believe in the teachings of the god worshipped by humans. To us, that light was the savior sent by the true god, the true representative of divinity.

When the light had descended close enough for the human eye to see, the envoys finally realized that it was a person with wings.

The savior of us Dark Elves—no, of all of us races hunted by humans.

"My name is Merlille Chromshell. I am the Queen of the Byakuya Kingdom."

""""...!!""""

The envoys were overwhelmed by our master's pure white form and immense pressure. Normally, these envoys would maintain their composure even before the king of a great nation, but in the strange atmosphere of the hall and before the mysterious figure of our master, who seemed to be the very antithesis of a vampire, they could not remain calm.

We shed the white robes we wore and knelt in unison.

""""!?""""

At this sight, the envoys who had finally come to their senses hastily assumed the posture of a vassal and knelt.

""""!?""""

And then they became agitated, realizing that they had, for some reason, adopted the posture of a vassal. As if nothing had happened, our master ignored the scene and sat on the throne set up in the hall with a leisurely motion.

"Now, let the ceremony begin."

It was a light-hearted remark, hardly fitting for the start of a national ceremony. But when spoken by my master, it sounded as if she were saying that such an event was nothing more than a way to pass the time.

""""...""""

At the sound of our master's voice announcing the beginning, the envoys' expressions changed. The atmosphere was as if a war was about to begin. Indeed, for them, who had come bearing the prestige of their nations, this ceremony was their battlefield. But having been thrown off balance by our master's descent, there was no way they could negotiate for the benefit of their own countries.