Mo’er finally left in disgrace. Things were completely messed up, the plans were all disrupted, and he needed to find a place to calm down. Atop the palace, Fang Zhou watched Mo’er leave. Mo’er probably couldn’t figure out who the insider was, nor could he imagine he was hit by such a dimensional reduction strike. Fang Zhou had informed Adams and the ministers in advance, and directly used Divine Sense to control the old King’s Attendant, giving an answer Mo’er didn’t want to see. With this, Adams ascending the throne was a done deal. Mo’er could not fulfill his promises to the nobles, and those who were fence-sitters might switch sides at any moment. Aside from a coup, Mo’er had no other choice. This is exactly why Fang Zhou intervened to align with history; otherwise, Mo’er would falsely relay the old King’s will, directly eliminating the unsuspecting Adams, and there wouldn’t be a coup to follow. The news of the old King’s death quickly spread throughout the Royal Capital, and at the same time, the ministers jointly issued a statement, saying they would assist Eldest Prince Adams in conducting a national funeral for the old King. This statement gave a very clear signal that the successor to the throne was Eldest Prince Adams, and the other two Princes no longer had a chance. During the national funeral, the two Princes lived in fear day by day, terrified that the cause of the old King’s death would be discovered. Meanwhile, Chief Court Mage Mo’er was nowhere to be seen, his whereabouts unknown. Many people thought Mo’er was too heartbroken by the death of his long-time friend to show himself. But Fang Zhou had been keeping an eye on him. This mastermind behind the scenes had no intention to step down; instead, he was preparing for a coup in the shadows. The national funeral lasted more than a month. After the old King was buried, it was time for the new King’s coronation. On the day of the coronation, Adams, as per custom, rode the King’s exclusive carriage, with his two younger brothers, parading through the streets to meet the citizens as the Crown Prince. The subsequent procedure was to head to the cathedral, receive the blessing of the Fire Protection Sect Archbishop, then proceed to the palace to receive the crowning and allegiance from the Chief Court Mage, and finally deliver a speech in the square, officially becoming King. On the carriage, the two Princes had stiff expressions, mechanically waving their arms. Mo’er, who had disappeared for a long time, secretly appeared last night, telling the two to be patient, but not explaining in detail what he planned to do, fearing the two fools might leak the information. Even if the two were fools, they could guess that Mo’er was likely planning something today. After parading around the Royal Capital, the carriage reached the cathedral. The Black Soul World had many religions, with quite a few cults, and the Fire Protection Sect was a highly influential religion, recognized by many countries as their state religion. Adams entered the cathedral to receive the blessing from the Archbishop, then left by carriage to the palace, preparing for the coronation ceremony. By this time, the Imperial Palace was already crowded with officials of all levels, scattered on both sides of King’s Avenue, with a long red carpet stretching from the palace gate to inside the palace. The carriage stopped at the palace gate, and Adams, in full ceremonial attire, stepped off, walking along the red carpet while officials on both sides clutched their chests, bowing in salute. The attendants, holding baskets of flowers, scattered petals in the air. The two Princes followed behind, watching Adams enjoy this supreme honor, their faces nearly twisted with jealousy. Fortunately, the surrounding people had their heads bowed in salute and didn’t see it. As he walked into the palace, Adams looked up to see Mo’er. The long-absent Chief Court Mage stood beside the throne, holding the scepter and crown that represented royal authority, and looking at Adams with a detached gaze. Adams knew well that his father’s friend didn’t like him, and there was nothing he could do about it, except hope to touch him with sincerity. Under the gaze of the ministers, Adams walked slowly through the palace, up the steps, to the throne. He knelt on one knee before Mo’er, not to Mo’er, but to the scepter and crown in his hands, showing reverence for royal authority. According to tradition, at this moment, Mo’er should place the scepter on the Crown Prince’s shoulder, say some admonitory words, and then put the crown on him, completing the coronation ceremony. But after Adams knelt, Mo’er remained motionless, just staring down at the Eldest Prince. Mo’er was silent for so long that even the ministers sensed something was off, whispering among themselves. Adams was also puzzled, but as he was kneeling, he couldn’t look up or rise on his own accord, so he had to wait patiently. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍 It took a while before Mo’er slowly picked up the scepter and placed it on Adams’ shoulder. "Do you think you’re a suitable candidate for King?" The entire palace fell silent. The ministers were stunned, looking at Mo’er, thinking that phrase was not customary. How could he speak out of line? The two Princes, however, were excited. Finally! Something’s happening! Adams was also shocked, instinctively wanting to look up, but Mo’er pressed him down with the scepter: "Answer my question!" What else could Adams say? He could only respond, "I believe I am a qualified candidate." Mo’er loudly retorted, "Your father frequently told me when he was alive that you are too weak-willed to be put to great use, not at all a suitable candidate for King. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could leave a will, and I, as the Chief Court Mage, have the duty to select a truly qualified successor for your father." This was Mo’er’s excuse for initiating a coup. After all, the old King was already dead and couldn’t contradict him, and the old King had deliberately spread such rumors to motivate Adams, which Mo’er could conveniently exploit. If a coup’s slogan was plausible, people would believe it even if they didn’t want to. If the coup succeeded, everyone would have to believe it, but if it failed, no matter how compelling the argument, it would be useless. Mo’er’s explosive remarks were like a grenade that blew up the entire palace into an uproar, leaving all the officials and ministers wide-eyed and gaping at him. "Nonsense, you traitor..." One minister jumped out to accuse loudly, but before he could finish, Mo’er knocked him down with a spell. With a "bang," the palace doors were shut by the guards, locking everyone inside. More guards swarmed out, surrounding the people in the hall. The officials and family members who had come to witness the ceremony instinctively screamed, but even before that, a Magic Barrier had already fallen, encircling the entire palace and insulating it from any outward noise. Mo’er’s Court Mages also took action, quickly subduing the rebellious nobles and taking control of the situation. "Mo’er, what on earth are you doing?!" Adams looked up at Mo’er, though he had guessed it, he still couldn’t believe it. "Of course, to choose a King who will submit to me humbly." Mo’er let out a cold laugh. Adams instantly understood, both shocked and furious: "So you haven’t given up on that research..." Before he could finish, Mo’er kicked the weak-willed Prince aside.