Chapter 375

The coronation was a whirlwind of activity that surpassed any battle either Brain or Zesshi had ever experienced, with the soldiers of the Empire who were stationed in Arwintar personally marching their new Emperor to the palace directly from the arena. Crowds lined the streets as the impromptu parade began in earnest, cheers and shouts went up as Lords and Ladies of the nobility began to fill the streets.

For Brain as much as for Zesshi, it was a dreamlike and surreal scene, while riding on their shoulders between the two, Layali seemed to be beyond excited, waving her hands, laughing and smiling with excitement as people professed their loyalty to the new royal family.

The smell of alcohol was thick in the air as casks of ale and wine alike were cracked open and vendors began to turn it into their busiest of business days.

The sun's descent continued at their backs and vanished as, on the steps of the royal palace, the crown of Emperor and Empress was placed on the still bruised up faces of the royal pair. The priest, an aged man clad in white and gold trimmed robes, intoned a prayer as all those near enough to see or hear, knelt and vowed their allegiance.

Zesshi leaned over to Brain as the white robed man continued to drone on using words she had no real interest in. "You know I pulled my punches… right?"

"I know, you were used to me being weak. Now you know you don't have to anymore." He whispered back to her and held out his right hand in front of Layali. Zesshi cracked a little grin and took his right hand in her left, and with a gleeful and somewhat disruptive shout, Layali laid her hands over both of theirs to join in the gesture.

A roar went up when it was over and done, and the pair entered the towering halls of the mighty palace at last, escorted by a handful of guards, who led the trio to the throne room.

"Your seats, my lord, my lady." The full plate armored guard said and held his salute until the Emperor and Empress somewhat awkwardly returned it and claimed the golden seats.

"Now what?" Zesshi asked him as the guards took their seats/.

"I don't know, I've never been an Emperor before." Brain said and looked to the nearby guard. "Do you have any advice?"

"Ah, yes, my lord… ah, the council of course is happy to assist, and also, there is someone they call 'the scholar'." The guard cleared his throat and with somewhat jittery fingers, raised the cover of his helmet to speak.

"The scholar?" Brain asked and shrugged, "Why do they call him that?"

"Because nobody knows his name… when the council started to govern, they had trouble, until letters came from a monastery, the signature bore only the name, 'the scholar', offering all manner of advice, including the suggestion of seeking the Allfather's help in securing stability." The guard bit his lip and waited to find out if he'd pleased the powerful Emperor and Empress, but Brain had another question.

"Why is it that he is anonymous… why not come here himself?" Brain pressed, "I've never run an Empire before, but it seems like it might be easier with a little help on hand from a competent sort of guy."

"My Lord, I know only what I have heard, but apparently the Scholar refuses to leave the monastery, in part because… strange as it may sound, the party sent to retrieve him states that he is utterly ashamed of his baldness, and has only bad memories of the Capital, which he blames for causing his condition." The guard explained, and Brain rubbed his chin.

"I see… I have to admit, I'm curious, I'd like to meet this 'Scholar'." Brain said and looked at his betrothed and their daughter. "Should that be our first trip?"

"It's as good as any." Zesshi said and rubbed her hands together, "This is a big empire and we have to see it all."

"Forgive me my Lord, my Lady, but the Allfather and his entourage of allies and client Queens, along with the delegation from the Slane Theocracy, should be here shortly, should we prepare something for them or…?" The guard swallowed audibly and looked nervously toward the entrance.

"Yes… yes, do that." Brain said, giving his first order as an Emperor, "We can prepare for our journey tomorrow."

All Zesshi had to do however, was look at him after that for him to read her thoughts in a look.

'You're going to explain everything, the woman, the power, what Layali did… no more secrets after that last one.'

He nodded toward her, and they settled in to greet the assembly of power.

"Emperor Unglaus," Ainz said, placing his hand over his chest, "I am Ainz Ooal Gown."

Of that, Brain had no doubt, he had met men with charisma before, people who just naturally saw others fall in at their backs and follow them. He had seen men of terror who inspired loyalty and awe, and he had seen the dignity of kings in even the lowest slave.

But the human before his eyes all but glowed with presence, 'So this is the man I gave my loyalty to… the one who made the trade with Layali and gave me my heart's desire, all my dreams old and new.' Brain thought and rose to his feet.

Brain stood up as one by one the Queens of the surrounding Kingdoms introduced themselves in turn.

"And I am Raymond, Cardinal of the Slane Theocracy." Raymond said when his turn came. "I don't suppose you remember me, do you, Emperor Unglaus?"

"Brain Unglaus, and my soon to be wife, Zesshi Zetsumei." Brain said, introducing themselves with a squeeze to Zesshi's hand. "And yes, I do recall you, Cardinal, though, forgive me, you look tired, are you resting well?"

Raymond pursed his lips and answered, "It has been a mixed experience since we last met."

"Our daughter, Princess Layali." Zesshi said, putting her hand on the girl's head. She then looked at Raymond's face, and the way he glanced from Layali to herself and back, "Of course, Raymond may not need an introduction toward me but…"

Layali winked up toward Ainz and mouthed the word, 'Icecream?'

The Allfather held back a chuckle at the girl's priority, though he gave her a subtle nod that had her immediately become a trifle antsy, shifting a bit on her feet.

The new Empress crouched down beside Layali and raised a hand to point at the Cardinal, drawing the child's eyes toward him, "Layali, you can think of that man as a grandfather. He used to look after me, before I… grew up out here and found you."

Raymond's pursed lips began to curl upward, shakily, awkwardly, but they did, and he leaned forward toward the new Princess. "I'm not sure what to say now but… Princess, everything will be fine, whatever happens next."

Layali looked at Raymond with some reticence… then up to her mama and papa and asked, "What's grandpa talking about?"

"Layali, if we work hard, by the time you're old enough to get it, you won't even need to understand." Brain answered.

Nobody intended to argue with that.