100X Returns System: I Dominate the Age of Gods - Chapter 347. Coronation Ceremony - 2

William intended to spend nearly 1 billion SP purchasing binders from the System Shop. Each binder costs one million SP, meaning he planned to acquire 1000 of them.

He would save the rest as insurance for the future until he binds 1000 talented individuals. He will probably try to make some princely vykers in the flux realm drink his blood and bind them along with prodigies from outside the continent who were supposed to be leagues above the natives of Aris, according to Lunar goddess Nir.

Naturally, he had no intention of using binders randomly; they were like an investment that would give him returns, so he would make sure to bind the top 1000 candidates from around the world and realms.

William smirked, thinking about the freebie cultivation and talents coming his way at once. He also thanked Orion for the SP; the System no longer seemed stingy with rewards.

According to Orion, this dramatic increase was directly tied to the growing scale of danger surrounding William. The greater the crisis, the greater the rewards granted by the system.

Still, William occasionally suspected that the supreme system also struggled to maintain consistent scaling with his progress.

Sometimes rewards felt disproportionately small, while other times they bordered on ridiculous. Whether it was flawed or intentionally designed that way, he had no time to dwell on it now.

His focus remained fixed upon the coronation ceremony unfolding around him. For the first time in a long while, he carried the crimson aeon on his waist instead of in storage since it was required for ceremonial purposes.

Walking behind Anastasia through the grand hall, William appeared like a true imperial prince. His eyes drifted toward the scepter carried by his mother.

That had been designed personally by Maris. He also noticed her aptitude for artistic expression; he had observed her often taking an interest in improving the visual appeal of things.

Most of the original ceremonial artifacts of the Solaris Empire had been destroyed by the Church over the years. Very little remained of the empire’s former identity.

The Sun Clan’s members had been almost annihilated through the combined destruction caused by demons and the Church’s purge.

Even now, William still could not fully understand why Winston had spared portions of the Moon Clan instead of eradicating them immediately, just like his own clan; if it was merely collusion, then William might not have found dangerous levels of neurotoxins in everyone’s blood.

The question bugged his mind; surely there had been a deeper motive.

He silently made a note to ask Elion about it later.

For now, however, his attention returned to the ceremony. Anastasia slowly ascended the staircase leading toward the throne.

William stopped several steps below, remaining behind her while Yue continued upward alongside the future empress.

Yue’s role today was especially important.

Originally, the allied leaders had suggested that the individual crowning Anastasia should be someone possessing immense respect and influence across the continent. However, complications quickly emerged.

Since the Solaris Empire was fundamentally a human empire, several leaders of other races refused the role.

Figures such as Ming Long, Yun Long, and even the Titan emperor and Elven empress believed that allowing a non-human elder to crown the empress could create unnecessary political tension among the human population as well as among the race of the one crowning her.

It was a symbolic issue more than anything else.

None of them wished to unintentionally create future controversy within their own territories or within the newly stabilized empire. That left only two suitable choices among humans themselves.

Sword Saint Klaus or Yue Qinglan. While Elion Luneia may have been called forward, the old man simply refused since he was Anne’s father and the role needed someone better fitting.

And in the end, Yue was the obvious selection.

Not only was she one of the oldest and most respected human figures alive, but she was also considered an ancestor of Riverdale itself, making her a symbolic bridge between the scattered remnants of the old empire and its rebirth.

As Anastasia finally approached the throne beneath the gaze of billions across Aris, the atmosphere inside the hall grew heavy with anticipation.

With the grace and confidence expected of a ruler, Anastasia slowly turned toward the throne hall. As she moved, the long fur-lined cape hanging from her shoulders swept through the air behind her, fluttering elegantly before settling back into place as though responding to her will alone.

The entire throne room had fallen utterly silent right now; Anastasia’s grace was overwhelming.

Then Yue Qinglan stepped forward. In her hands rested the newly designed imperial crown.

It was forged from radiant gold, with sharp arcs extending upward behind it like the rays of a rising sun. Under the light of the hall, the crown shimmered with majesty, carrying the weight of expectations and legacy.

Following the ancient ceremonial procedures, Anastasia lowered herself onto one knee before Yue.

Yue’s expression remained composed and dignified as she began reciting the imperial oath.

One by one, she declared the responsibilities, duties, and burdens that came with ruling an empire.

And one by one, Anastasia accepted them. Her voice never wavered even once.

The formalities continued smoothly, carried out with the solemnity expected from a coronation that would be remembered for generations.

Finally, the moment arrived. Yue lifted the crown and carefully placed it upon Anastasia’s head.

The instant the crown settled into place, Anastasia rose to her feet.

A regal and almost untouchable aura surrounded her now. Her expression became calm, cold, and majestic. She did not make any grand declaration immediately. Instead, she simply raised the scepter in her hand high into the air.

That single gesture was enough.

Every soldier and warrior present inside the throne hall immediately knelt.

The leaders of foreign nations and races had been exempted from kneeling due to diplomatic protocol, but even they lowered themselves into respectful bows.

William knelt as well. Behind him, the members of the Dawn Legion followed suit alongside his servants.

Even the 800 slaves William had brought into the palace dropped to one knee without hesitation. At the moment, they were acting as temporary guards and attendants throughout the imperial grounds.

Many present here had instantly identified them as cultists, yet William had dismissed most objections by openly stating that they were bound by a heavenly oath. Furthermore, he also mentioned that they assisted during the capture of the capital, and that had already earned them practical value in the eyes of everyone.

After that explanation, very few people dared question him further.

Nearby, Elion, Samantha, Derek, and the surviving members of the Moon Clan knelt as well. Theodore and his son Helios followed without hesitation.

The image created inside the hall was overwhelming.

To the countless viewers watching through the broadcast crystals, it looked as though the entire continent itself had bent the knee before the rebirth of a fallen dynasty.

The specially enchanted robes worn by Anastasia only amplified the atmosphere further. Their effects subtly enhanced her presence, making her aura feel domineering in its grandeur.

When the ceremony finally concluded, Anastasia slowly turned and seated herself upon the imperial throne.