Even the courtiers felt something was amiss, glancing at one another uncertainly. Yet Sylas remained unfazed.
"From the moment the Crown Prince died, everything was already decided. Why bother with unnecessary formalities? If there were even a shred of genuine loyalty among the lords, it might be worth considering, but that isn't the case."
Displays of abdication and reconciliation, commonly referred to as "coronation shows," were only meaningful in preserving loyalty to the existing order. But in this case, genuine loyalty was almost nonexistent.
Under such circumstances, it was far more effective to assert the emergence of a new order through overwhelming strength.
"Excuse me for a moment," Sylas said suddenly.
"…!?"
Sylas picked up one of the chairs meant for the nobles and placed it directly beneath the throne, in the exact spot Maximilian had once occupied. It was the regent's seat—a position that traditionally acted as the Emperor's proxy when the Emperor was absent.
