Outside the imperial palace, in the open plaza before the coronation platform.
Accompanied by solemn ceremonial music and a sky filled with celebratory cannon fire, Talulah, leading the new high-ranking officials of Ursus, stepped onto the freshly laid crimson carpet and slowly ascended the platform.
Under normal circumstances, the former Emperor of Ursus would place the crown upon the new monarch's head before the eyes of the public. However, since the previous emperor Fyodor had already fled, this step was simply omitted. Talulah walked onto the platform already wearing the crown.
Naturally, no one cared.
On this brutal land, strength was the ultimate authority. And Talulah—who had now completely seized control of Ursus's war machine and consolidated all army groups previously held by other Grand Dukes into her own hands—was beyond any doubt the most powerful woman on Terra.
Skipping a coronation ritual that required the former emperor's participation was nothing.
Even if Talulah had bent down, grabbed some grass from the ground, woven a wreath, and declared that to be the legitimate imperial crown of Ursus, no one would have dared object.
Thus, amid the cheers and gazes of countless civilians, Talulah completed every step of the coronation ceremony atop the platform, accompanied by the honor guard's music. Raising the scepter high, she formally declared her ascension as Empress of Ursus and began her speech.
She spoke of Ursus's future direction, the promotion of new policies for the Infected, and adjustments to imperial taxation under the new reign…
Journalists from countless nations faithfully recorded the scene and broadcast it live back to their homelands.
(With the exception of a very small number of countries that, unfortunately, still lacked internet access.)
Columbia.
Victoria.
Kazimierz.
Great Yan.
Great Yan — Lungmen Guard Department
Fresh from wrapping up a case, Ch'en Hui-chieh walked into the building. The moment she entered the hall, she noticed a crowd gathered around a large screen, watching intently. Even Shi Huaiya and Hoshiguma were among them.
"So Ursus's new policy toward the Infected is actually like this?"
"Infected can enjoy basic human rights and citizenship, and there'll be factories specifically hiring Infected workers…"
"This new Emperor Talulah is treating the Infected extremely well, isn't she?"
"More than that. I heard she purged a large number of noble elites as soon as she took power. Some of the newly promoted high officials are apparently Infected."
"If that's the case, a lot of Infected might start flocking to Ursus."
"There are restrictions though. Foreign Infected rank below Ursus nationals, and you have to go through official registration channels to gain citizenship. Sounds pretty strict."
Hearing these conversations, Ch'en froze.
Talulah?
New Emperor of Ursus?
New Infected policies?
Ever since being taken away by Koshchei years ago, she had not seen her half-sister. How had Talulah suddenly become Empress of Ursus—and introduced policies favoring the Infected?
Because she'd been busy investigating a major case recently, Ch'en hadn't followed the news closely at all.
The Talulah they were talking about… was it really the one she knew?
With that thought, Ch'en immediately stepped forward, startling the group clustered around the screen.
"Damn it, Ch'en! You walk like a ghost—trying to scare people to death or what?!"
Startled, Shi Huaiya shot her an annoyed look. Hoshiguma, meanwhile, made space for her and asked curiously,
"Old Ch'en, you interested in this news too?"
This time, Ch'en didn't answer.
She stared blankly at the screen—at the figure standing atop the platform, delivering her speech.
There was no mistake.
It was her Talulah.
"Wait… Old Ch'en, you know Ursus's new Empress?"
Noticing Ch'en's abnormal expression, Hoshiguma was shocked by her own instinctive guess.
In an instant, all the guards turned their curious gazes toward Ch'en.
What?
Their superior had ties to the Emperor of another country?
What kind of earth-shattering gossip was this?!
Seeing this, Ch'en opened her mouth, hesitating whether to explain her relationship with Talulah. But given how obvious her reaction had been—and considering that everyone present was a trustworthy veteran officer—she finally nodded.
"Yes. By blood… she's my older sister."
—Hiss.
Everyone collectively sucked in a sharp breath.
Wait, seriously?
Their chief inspector's connections were this powerful?
The Emperor of Ursus was her sister?
So they'd been working alongside imperial kin this whole time—and for years, no less. That was… quite the honor.
"Well damn, Ch'en," Shi Huaiya sighed, patting Hoshiguma on the shoulder. Her expression had unmistakably turned respectful.
"Should we start calling you Master Ch'en now?"
As if we're strangers or something…
Ch'en shot Shi Huaiya an exasperated glare.
"Enough nonsense. Everyone get back to work. I need to see Governor Wei—I'm stepping out for a bit."
Seeing Talulah crowned Empress so suddenly had left Ch'en genuinely dazed. She needed answers. She needed to know what her half-sister had gone through.
As Ch'en walked away, Shi Huaiya's expression returned to normal—but her tone became serious.
She and Hoshiguma turned to the others.
"Consider everything you just heard a joke. It stays buried here. No one breathes a word of it. Understood?"
Even though everyone present was trustworthy, some things needed to be made clear from the outset.
The officers nodded in unison.
They weren't stupid. Anything involving emperors was far above their pay grade. Careless words could easily cost lives. Better to pretend nothing had happened.
At most, they'd just find more opportunities to stay on good terms with Inspector Ch'en.
Ursus Capital — Chernobog
The intense, martial music swelled.
Talulah's coronation and speech had already concluded. What came next was the true centerpiece—the reason so many nations and factions had sent representatives here in person.
The Imperial Grand Military Parade.
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