Chapter 71 - The Coronation (VI)

"I told you, faith is a scary thing when used as a weapon." Aenar Targaryen, God Emperor of Planetos.

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On leaving the room with Visenya, Aenar found Leda, Titus, Sigismund and Ser Willem, all dressed in white armor and equally white cloaks. Although Titus and Sigismund were not members of the Royal Guard, but of the dreaded Sardaukar, they were charged with protecting him and his family with unwavering devotion.

Walking down the corridor, Aenar found Daenerys, clearly more nervous than the prince himself who was to be crowned in a few moments. She wore a black dress with red sleeves, while her hair was tied up in a bun similar to Visenya's, but adorned with glittering jewels that further highlighted her elegance.

Both queens were impeccably dressed, looking stunning for what would be the second most important occasion of their lives.

"I'm grateful to have two such beautiful queens." Aenar commented, watching as they both positioned themselves next to him, Visenya on his left and Daenerys on his right.

Daenerys smiled happily, despite her nervousness, and reciprocated with a sincere compliment: "My king is even more handsome."

Noticing Daenerys' anxiety, Aenar rolled his eyes and joked: "Don't be so nervous. If anything, ask Balerion to burn what you're worried about."

The mention of her dragon brought a smile to Daenerys' lips. Remembering the vigilant, protective cub who was always by her side reassured her a little.

Taking a deep breath, Aenar held out her hands to Visenya and Daenerys. "Come on, people are waiting." He spoke, feeling the firm touch of the two as they held his hands.

With a determined stride, the Kingsguard followed close behind, hands poised on the hilt of their swords, alert for any threat.

Arriving at the end of the corridor, Aenar didn't even have to be near the square in front of the Great Temple of Volantis to hear the thunderous sound of hundreds of thousands of people. It was like the roar of a gigantic monster, a living force that seemed to pulsate in the air.

He squeezed Visenya and Daenerys' hands lightly. "It looks like they're anxious to see us. But I don't blame them; I'm so handsome it's a sin." He joked, drawing laughter from both of them.

"I don't know how you manage to make me laugh in this situation... My heart is almost bursting out of my chest." Daenerys commented, her voice calmer now.

"What can I say? I have the gift." Aenar boasted, maintaining his confident posture. He knew he needed to be calm, calm enough to be the foundation for everyone around him.

With a more serious tone, he whispered to both of them: "Also, don't be afraid. Fear kills the soul and erodes determination."

They both rolled their eyes, but they couldn't deny that, thanks to him, they were calmer. The nervousness was still there, but the fear had disappeared.

When Aenar entered the square, he came across a monumental stage three meters high. In front of it, a crowd pressed in, so dense that he estimated at least forty thousand people near the stage, while hundreds of thousands more crowded the surrounding streets, eagerly awaiting the prince's speech.

In the side stands, set up for high-status guests, were important figures from Volantis, including his sister, Rhaenys, the Dowager Queen, Rhaella I Targaryen, the entire House Martell and religious leaders such as Benerro and Moqorro.

On the stage, only Kinvara was waiting. The woman wore a red silk dress, with a large veil that hid her face, almost touching the floor. As Reverend Mother of the Red Faith in Essos, her presence commanded absolute respect.

As Aenar climbed the steps, silence overtook the square. Each step seemed to echo in place, making the atmosphere strangely silent. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of the Prophet, the Messiah of Essos.

As soon as he reached the stage, the silence was broken by deafening shouts. Requests for forgiveness and cries mixed in a cacophony that made the whole place shake.

Not only Aenar, but Visenya, Daenerys and the Kingsguard also took to the stage. The Kingsguard strategically positioned themselves to protect the three members of House Targaryen.

Aenar stopped next to Kinvara, looking down at the sea of people below. Some held out their hands, as if begging for a blessing. The crowd didn't see him as a mere mortal, but as a messiah, someone capable of leading them to paradise after death.

Watching the scene, Aenar couldn't help but think: the Bible really was the most effective indoctrination tool on the planet, without a doubt.

Aenar raised his hand and closed his fist. The moment he did so, the noise ceased completely, replaced by silence.

"Before we begin, pray with me." Aenar spoke, his voice gentle and warm, making many think they were seeing a god, especially with the sunlight behind him making a halo of light around him. Strangely, his voice was heard by all forty thousand people in the square and he didn't need to speak to the rest, as they were being passed on by the believers themselves.

Since Aenar wanted to create a theocratic empire, he had to start with the people. In this empire, he would be the god of the people and no one else.

Aenar began the prayer himself:

"Our Father, who art in heaven,

Everyone continued praying after Aenar, a holy choir of truly devout people who had been given a new lease of life because of Aenar.

hallowed be Thy name;

Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

The sound of the people had intensified, so that all of Volantis could hear the prayer of hundreds of thousands of people together.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

The impact that this prayer had on some people could no longer be described as unbelievable, it was simply shocking in the extreme.

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen."

Aenar finished the prayer and made the sign of the cross, which everyone below followed.

Taking a deep breath, Aenar began his speech without beating around the bush.

"My people, brothers and sisters. All who have come from the Nine Free Cities. You grace me with your noble presence on this day. A day that will be remembered in eternity, where you all shared the same glories with me. The same destiny, the same life, the same purpose"

"It will not be glory, wealth or power that will take us to paradise, but I who will take you."

"I will bear all your sins, I will bless you, I will endure you for the sins you have committed."

"All I ask in return is simple."

"Treat me as your father and I will take you in as my children."

"If you have me in your hearts, I will have you in my heart, just as God has commanded me to do."

"God bless you!" As I finish, I raise my hand up and clench my fist tightly.

He didn't need many words, everyone already adored him, he just had to give them one more reason to give their lives to him if he asked them to.

If before these people, who had lived in precarious situations all their lives, had worshipped Aenar as a holy being, who had lifted them out of poverty by giving them jobs and homes, then now these people were no longer people, but fanatics who had been seduced by Aenar with monstrous mastery.

"Messiah!!!"

"The one who will guide us!!!"

"Son of Light!!!"

Loud shouts rang out after the brief end of Aenar's speech. Everyone raised their hands and clenched their fists, imitating Aenar.

Rhaella felt her heart beating faster, her ears ringing with the deafening sound of tens of thousands shouting at the same time as she watched simply shocked at all the people worshipping her grandson as genuinely as if they had seen a god.

For a moment, she really felt that her grandson was a god, not a mortal like her or anyone else, but Rhaella soon pushed these absurd thoughts to the back of her mind. However, it made her realize how terrible Aenar's charm was, her grandson could convert an entire city with one speech, which was completely unbelievable to say the least.

Rhaella didn't know it, but all of Kinvara, Benerro and Aenar's nearly six years of planning had gone into this moment. It wasn't overnight that these people began to love Aenar, it was a natural process, just as a seed takes time to germinate.

All to result in this moment that Aenar saw with his Prescience when he was six years old, when he met Kinvara for the first time.

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