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🕑 Added 2025-08-10 00:03:49 +0000 UTCEP.24 Yuno’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (5)
"Your Highness Yuno! His Majesty the Emperor has ordered that your coming-of-age ceremony and master appointment be held together this evening. You should come a bit early to prepare."
"Understood. Please tell the secretary I won’t be late."
At lunchtime, a palace attendant delivered the emperor’s command to Yuno’s private palace.
Lately, Yuno had been so absorbed in mana training with his master that he’d planned to train late into the night again today, but since this was his own coming-of-age ceremony and a strict imperial order, he couldn’t refuse.
‘Whew… I’ll have to keep it short this afternoon…’
Mana training with Catherine was so enjoyable for both of them that they never missed a day, and now they entered the training room without even wearing bras or underwear.
Still, their pre-training sparring had become even fiercer since Yuno became a master. Now, they even exchanged aura blows, fighting so intensely it could be called a real battle rather than just sparring.
Of course, after sparring, they would have another kind of intense “physical conversation,” their chests and bodies tangled together in a sticky exchange of mana.
"Whew~ To think you’ve gotten this strong just a week after becoming a master… Is it because I’m a good teacher, or are you just that talented?"
Catherine was amazed that, as Yuno grew stronger at such a pace, she sometimes found herself being overpowered.
"Hahaha, it’s because Catherine’s springy breasts feel so good that I can’t help but try my best. So isn’t it because you’re a good teacher?"
As Yuno pressed her breasts with his hands, Catherine sighed.
"Oh, what kind of disciple is so lecherous… As your master, I can’t help but feel responsible… Hehe."
Moved by Yuno’s touch, Catherine once again brought her breasts to his groin, but Yuno held her shoulders and stopped her.
"Ah… Catherine, I’m sorry. That’s enough for today. My father said my coming-of-age ceremony is tonight, so I need to start getting ready."
"Ahh~ That’s a shame… But if it’s the emperor’s order, there’s no helping it… Tomorrow, we’ll make up for what we missed today, so be ready!"
Yuno was reluctant to stop, and Catherine, who was thrilled by the growth of her own mana hole and completely captivated by Yuno’s body, was also disappointed.
But since they couldn’t refuse the emperor’s summons, they ended their training for the day. Now used to showering together, they washed each other’s bodies, their master-disciple relationship growing even closer.
A few hours later, as night fell, all the nobles of the capital began gathering at the imperial palace.
The vast palace banquet hall was packed with nobles, so many that even the usual outdoor garden used for tea parties had to be opened to accommodate everyone.
"Isn’t this too many people, even for a party celebrating the Third Prince’s coming-of-age and his ascension to master?"
"Well, His Majesty ordered all nobles in Adria Castle to bring their children, so what can you do? His Majesty must have something in mind."
Most lower nobles couldn’t even get into the main hall and had to stay outside, which led to some complaints. But unlike their fathers, many noble youths were wide-eyed with excitement at seeing the palace for the first time.
As the noisy hall quieted at the secretary’s announcement of the emperor’s entrance, all eyes turned to the sound of footsteps. The emperor, the crown prince, and Yuno entered, the emperor taking the throne while the crown prince and Yuno stood at the sides of the throne’s steps, facing the nobles.
As the emperor appeared, the nobles knelt in greeting, and the emperor raised a hand for them to rise, then stood and began his speech. His voice, amplified by magic, rang out even to the outdoor garden so every guest could hear.
"First, I thank the empire’s nobles for gracing this occasion. As you all know, last week my third son, Yuno Alexander Windrage von Balkan, came of age and reached the rank of master. I ask all present to congratulate him on this achievement."
Clap clap clap clap
"Congratulations on becoming the youngest master on the continent!!"
"His Highness the Prince will become our empire’s guardian deity!!"
"Glory to Balkan!!"
As applause poured in, Yuno scratched his head shyly and waved to the crowd. The crown prince came over and patted Yuno’s shoulder, sincerely congratulating him.
The emperor, smiling at the brotherly affection, then struck the floor to shift the mood.
"However! There were cowards who tried to stain this glorious occasion! As you all know, someone attacked the Third Prince’s palace during his body change, and the intelligence service has confirmed that the culprits were from Teseito!"
Murmur murmur murmur
Most high nobles already knew this from government meetings, but for most lower nobles, it was the first they’d heard, and after days of intense investigations, their pent-up frustration quickly turned to anger.
"How dare the Teseito dogs!! Such cowardly acts!!"
"We must not forgive Teseito for such underhanded tricks!!"
"To try to harm the empire’s glorious master this way!!"
A torrent of insults and outrage at Teseito swept the hall, especially among the young nobles, whose anger soared sky-high.
For most lower noble youths, who had only just begun learning to control mana, the appearance of a peer like Yuno as a master made him a hero, and learning that the enemy tried to eliminate him by treachery stoked their patriotism.
"Therefore, I declare here: from this moment, the empire enters a state of war, and we declare war on the villainous Teseito! Foreign Minister, deliver this to the Teseito royal family as soon as possible!"
Despite the declaration of war, the palace’s mood only grew more heated. The emperor, secretly smiling at the fervor, then resumed a serious expression and continued.
"With the war emergency in effect, all nobles are to gather their private soldiers and form legions! Any young noble here who wishes to volunteer may speak to the Minister or Deputy Minister of War and will be accepted as a commander or knight."
"I obey, Your Majesty!"
"The commander-in-chief of the army to punish Teseito will be Crown Prince Prinz, and Third Prince Yuno will serve as deputy commander. Crown Prince and Third Prince, come forward!"
At the emperor’s order, Prinz and Yuno knelt before the throne. The emperor bestowed the commander’s baton on the crown prince and a sword symbolizing command on Yuno.
Yuno, bewildered by the sudden appointment, could not refuse the emperor’s command and accepted the sword in a daze.
"For this campaign, the 1st, 4th, and 5th legions will participate, excluding the 2nd and 3rd legions holding the Leon Kingdom front and the 6th and 7th legions guarding Johannes. The Minister of War will assign command and allocate troops as nobles pledge their support, and report back to me."
After the Minister of War, Marquis Zeitlitz, saluted, the emperor toasted to Teseito’s destruction and withdrew.
Suddenly made deputy commander, Yuno was still in a daze but was led by the crown prince to the center of the hall.
"Your Highness the Third Prince! Congratulations! To become a master upon coming of age and now to be appointed deputy commander what an honor!!"
Nobles crowded around with flattery and praise, leaving Yuno speechless.
"His Highness must be overwhelmed with emotion at the chance to personally crush the villainous Teseito who tried to assassinate him. Hahaha!"
At that moment, Yuno’s maternal grandfather, Duke Windrage, came to his aid, taking him to the royal family’s private lounge to help him calm down.
"Are you feeling better, Your Highness?"
"Yes, Grandfather. Thank you. I was so stunned to suddenly be made deputy commander with no warning… I’m sorry for showing such a poor example."
"Not at all, Your Highness. Everyone just remembers you’re a master they forget you’ve only just come of age. Haha."
Duke Windrage laughed and offered Yuno a cool drink. As Yuno drank and calmed down, the duke spoke again.
"But, Your Highness, while that’s fine for a warrior, as a deputy commander and leader, you must never show such a face. You must always stay calm, make bold decisions, and have the resolve to carry them out."
"Grandfather…"
Moved by the duke’s kind advice, Yuno’s eyes filled with tears.
"Haha… leave that side of yourself here. The moment you step out that door, you are a master representing the empire, the commander of the army to conquer Teseito. Steel your heart and always stand tall as a leader."
"I will remember that, Grandfather."
Yuno was deeply grateful to Duke Windrage. Having never known real family in his previous life, Yuno now cherished his mother, sisters, Prinz, and his grandfather, realizing what true family meant.
"In practice, the actual command will be handled by the crown prince and the legion commanders. You, as the symbol of imperial might, must stand at the front, inspire the soldiers, and be the spearhead that crushes the enemy. Understood?"
"Yes! Thank you for your advice, Duke Windrage!"
Yuno’s eyes regained their sharpness, and Duke Windrage smiled, giving his grandson a reassuring pat on the back.
Encouraged by his grandfather, Yuno went out to receive congratulations from the young nobles, swearing with them to destroy Teseito, boosting their morale and leading to a flood of enlistment applications.
The Minister and Deputy Minister of War grumbled about having to process all the paperwork at the banquet, but as it was the emperor’s order, they had no choice but to accept hundreds of enlistment forms from the noble youths.
Meanwhile, the emperor watched with the crown prince from the inner chamber balcony.
"Hahaha, I didn’t expect much, but Yuno is doing very well. The plants I mixed in are working, but with Yuno out front, I couldn’t ask for more… Hahaha."
"…Your Majesty…"
"Heh, heh, whether their sons are joining the army or not, both rich high nobles and poor low nobles will have to send their private soldiers. Otherwise, their heirs’ lives might be at risk… Hahaha!"
With the emperor’s laughter, Yuno’s coming-of-age ceremony came to an end.
Of course, when Yuno returned to his palace, he was scolded severely by Yuria, his sisters, and Eliza, who had been waiting for him. Especially Yuria and Isabella were so furious that Yuno trembled.
"Ah! How could I refuse when His Majesty the Emperor appointed me? It’s an imperial command!"
"You should have made up an excuse about being sick to refuse! Why are you going to such a dangerous place, huh?"
"That’s it. I’ll petition His Majesty myself. How can he send a child who nearly died a week ago into danger… It’s nonsense."
"Ah! Mom~ So many noble youths enlisted just because of me how can I cancel that? I can’t!"
Yuno, who wanted to live an easy life, never intended to shirk his duty. Having made promises in front of so many nobles and received advice from his respected grandfather, he insisted on going even as he was scolded, and in the end, Yuria and Isabella had to give in.
