EnCoffin Me Chapter 75
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 75
By noon, Cravenson had already set up the venue and was making some final adjustments.
Within a hundred miles radius of Behemoth, the military forbade anyone from entering. However, such protection was almost pointless because Behemoth seemed to no longer exist in the same world as them. The giant wolf made of gemstones and crystals would remain in deep slumber, and as long as the guardian's power wasn't weakened, it would not be exposed to any danger.
Zhen watched the figure of the god from afar and couldn't help but sigh quietly. He didn't know where this feeling of melancholy came from, nor could he share it with anyone. But when he turned his head, he saw the lich slowly approaching, holding a simple staff.
“Lucy,” Zhen greeted, “aren't you with Alexi?”
The lich gently shook her head.
“I wanted to see the God of Earth. I feel a strong connection to him.”
“Funny, I thought the same.”
The two children gazed at the god's figure together for a while. Then Zhen spoke first.
“Alexi is going to crown Dondon! I just sneaked a peek at the crown, and it looked exactly like the one in the movie!” He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Actually, I've been wondering, did the werewolf king that Alexio raised in the movie really take revenge on Alexi in the end? If so, it's… really sad…”
The lich listened quietly and attentively. After Zhen finished speaking, she gently lowered her eyelids.
“I don't think so. In the end, he must have understood everything and made peace with Alexi.”
Zhen knew she was just comforting him, but he still felt happy at the possibility of such an ending. He thanked Lucy, then returned to the crowd. The lich watched him leave before turning back to gaze at the God of Earth.
Those words were really just to comfort Zhen.
Because Alexio had once spoken to her about what happened afterward, when he was teaching her about death.
【He died in a battle, the cub I watched grow up.】
【I sent his crown back. The werewolves thought I had killed him.】
When Alexio said this, his expression was calm, showing little sadness. Perhaps too much time had passed for him to still feel sad.
【So, Lucy, selfishly speaking, I don't want to lose any of you anymore.】
【I only say this to you because you're a lich, and you need to deal with death.】
Lucy remembered every word Alexio said. She had always been diligent and hardworking, perhaps even luckily a bit talented, and her learning progress was something Alexio would approve of. If she had to give a reason for working hard, it would be that she ‘didn't want to die.’ And if there was another reason, it would be ‘to protect Zhen and Helgedon so they wouldn't die.’
Alexi wouldn't say it aloud, but if they were to die, he would surely be very, very sad.
So none of them could be allowed to die.
“Lucy! The ceremony is about to start! We need you on camera!”
The shout came from a distance. The lich girl replied briefly, cast one last glance at the God of Earth, then turned and left.
The livestream of the coronation was once again fully handled by Pupil. It controlled the cameras in the venue with ease, while also managing to like the livestream links that Alexio shared. But Lucius was a step faster, liking and reposting with a refreshed spirit before putting away his lightbrain.
Pupil: Crying cat.jpg
Alexio was unaware of the subtle conflicts happening behind the scenes. He was busy going over the entire ceremony process with Cravenson. Following his vision, the ceremony incorporated many elements from the ancient werewolf king's coronation ten thousand years ago. Some of these were unprecedented and required urgent rehearsals. Fortunately, only military media and personnel were present, and they were excellent at following orders, so things took shape quickly.
Cameras moved through the venue, skillfully capturing the scenes suitable for public release. One moved particularly close to Alexio. He stopped talking and lowered his gaze at it. The camera waved its metal wings at him.
【Aaaah, it's been months! I'm finally seeing Xixi again!】
【I'm alive! I'm alive! I'm alive for this!】
【Wait, Xixi's bat wings! Bat wings, ahhhhh!】
【Damn it, zoom in more! Not close enough!】
【Ecstatic dancing cat.jpg】
【That sticker upstair! Did Madame Sparrow release new ones?!】
The so-called Madame Sparrow in the comments was fully named Sparrow Nestling in Thorns, known as a loyal fan of the Epic Pair but had many other creations as well. They had been popular for months, and now their sticker pack occupied most of the Federation's lightbrain. Almost everyone interested in dark creatures had bought the cute and affordable Xixi Cat sticker pack, which was constantly updated.
Zhen, having regained his lightbrain, stared at the livestream interface, downloaded the new sticker pack, then nudged Lucy. She silently downloaded it as well.
Alexio had no idea about this.
By noon, everyone was in place, and all preparations were complete. The ceremony officially began. According to Alexio's plan, Helgodon needed to follow his ancestors' path and venture deep into the mountains. He had personally gone ahead earlier. Beneath a frozen lake deep inside lay a blue floral crown woven from snowfield flowers. Helgodon had to overcome many difficulties to retrieve the crown before he would be qualified to be crowned the Werewolf King.
Alexio bent down and petted Helgodon, who had reverted to his wolf cub form. Today he wore his cloak over his right shoulder, its dark rose embroidery visible as his bat wings rested folded behind him. The look conveyed his seriousness.
“Go.”
The first command was soft.
The second was firm.
“Go!”
As his command landed, the soldiers on all sides struck their cold weapons. The metallic clangs rang out sharply. In the distant mountains, something began rushing downward. The bright white lines were not light rays but real ice and snow. The ice and snow surged down, the howling wind shrieked, and the snowfield unveiled its might, as if awakening from a dream—
They heralded winter.
The biting cold swept across the venue. Some people had to raise their hands to shield themselves. Even viewers watching through screens seemed to feel the bone-chilling cold. Alexio's cloak fluttered in the wind. The wolf cub beside him stood up and let out a tender howl. His form gradually expanded, until beside Alexio appeared a massive silver wolf with translucent frost wings. Its ice-blue eyes reflected the biting winds of the snowfield.
His posture and movements gradually overlapped with the werewolf king from the movie. Cautious yet alert, fearless and profound, he ran forward alone, but everyone watching could feel that he was not truly alone. Many invisible werewolf spirits ran and howled with him, like—
A silver torrent.
The silver wolf ran through the mountains. He nearly slipped over a bottomless icy ravine, then he climbed a steep cliff with all his strength. Before reaching the finish line, he wasn't allowed to use any abilities. It was an arduous journey, yet he ran with increasing lightness.
He ran alongside the souls of his ancestors, crossing mountains, cliffs, and dense coniferous forests. Finally, a vast deep blue appeared on the snowy white land. An icy lake lay ahead, with a black scythe stuck diagonally in its center as a marker. As the silver wolf approached, the scythe dissolved into shadows.
Helgodon panted slightly, but he did not rest. He let out a battle roar, shattered the ice, and dove deep below. He didn't know how Alexio had placed the crown there. The crown lay submerged in the cold water, adorned with permanent frost crystals. Helgodon grabbed the crown with his mouth and surfaced. Without hesitation, he tossed the crown onto his head and began running back.
Alexio had been waiting for some time. He stood before the throne for the coronation, holding the silver crown, watching the silver wolf panting as it slowly approached. As the silver wolf came closer, it gradually transformed into a boy with wolf ears, his clothes adorned with silver-white fur. When he reached Alexio, his ice-blue eyes still carried the fearless spirit of youth.
Alexio thought of that child who had died in a battle. Holding the silver crown, he did not hesitate to offer it to Helgodon. There were no elder werewolves present. Helgodon was supposed to take the crown from him and crown himself.
He had never coveted power. The regency was only a temporary measure. Fortunately, Helgodon held no grudge against him because of the past, and that was enough.
Just as the silver crown was about to be placed on the wolf-eared boy's head, the boy unexpectedly took off the icy floral crown from his own head first. Although still a boy in form, he was nearly as tall as Alexio, so with a simple lift of his hand, he calmly placed the floral crown on Alexio's head. Then, he brushed back his fur cloak, knelt halfway, and bowed his head.
“As my teacher, as my father, as my friend…”
He still spoke with frequent pauses, but the venue gradually fell silent with his words.
“My glorious ally, please wear this flower crown. Then ally, please crown me. Recognize me as the werewolf king. Werewolf King, Helgodon!”
He lowered his head deeper, his wolf ears folding to the sides, ready to bear the weight of the crown. Alexio held the crown, his red eyes slowly widening as he recalled a memory he had chosen to forget out of overwhelming sorrow.
Ten thousand years ago, when he found the cub he had raised on the battlefield, the child was drawing his last breath. Although already a father to several wolf cubs, those ice-blue eyes still held the bright spirit of youth.
The young werewolf king gave a slight twitch of his ears, a friendly, warm gesture. He slowly removed the crown and handed it to Alexio.
【I never hated you for a single day.】
【My ally.】
In his memory, he trembled as he took the crown. In reality, he was placing the crown on the new king's head. The wolf ears twitched, and after some adjustment, finally settled in harmony with the crown. Helgodon lifted his head, his ice-blue eyes clear, flashing a happy grin that showed a hint of sharp teeth.
“Alexi!” he called out, then stood up. “Is it over?”
Alexio came back to himself just as Cravenson's voice rang out nearby.
“Wait, wait! Take a few more photos! Move a little, yes! Perfect, right there!”
“Anyone want a group photo? Come on, let's take one together. No second takes!”
“Marshal Olsen, please queue up properly. I saw you cutting in line.”
Zhen couldn't be happier! He loved these kinds of events and didn't care how high the stage was. He just climbed up directly. Not only did he want a group photo, but after that, he also dragged Helgodon or Alexio aside for selfies, all while insisting on the perfect angle.
“Wow, Dondon, so sly, putting your paw right there to block your face.”
“Lucy, turn a bit to the side, it makes you look slimmer, yes, yes!”
He enthusiastically took a bunch of photos, then carefully selected the best ones to post, greeting everyone he knew. Others eagerly shared them, and after months, Zhen finally trended again.
Zhen immediately added a new post.
@Zhen Is Here: Ecstatic dancing cat.jpg
He had been plotting to use this sticker for a long time and finally sent it!
Alexio finally escaped the noisy crowd and sighed in relief. He really wasn't used to such lively occasions. Still, he glanced at Zhen, who seemed right at home, and felt a flicker of something inside.
“…What are you thinking about?”
Hearing the voice, Alexio didn't need to look up to know it was the lunatic, so he answered honestly.
“I'm thinking about what to do next. I want to get ahead of the Holy Temple. I feel like Zhen is quite familiar with matters of public opinion. Maybe he can help with some issues.”
“This livestream of the ceremony you insisted on, was that the first step?” Lucius asked.
“Yes, that's how I saw it. But after that, I have no clue,” Alexio admitted. “Of course, I can try to interact more, but beyond that…”
Lucius knew Alexio wasn't good at this, so he just nodded.
“Then leave it to me. As long as you appear on camera, I'll handle the rest… well, just showing off—” He hesitated, then corrected himself, “showing daily life.”
He swore by all his cat sticker pack that he would show off beautifully.
Alexio didn't know about this secret vow. He was still deep in thought, a spark of inspiration flickering in his mind. He tried desperately to grasp it but always just missed it. He was almost at the point of ‘cat scratching head.jpg’ when he suddenly heard the lunatic speak.
“Besides daily life, we could come up with small scripts. No need to act deliberately, I'll—”
“Wait!” Alexio caught that spark of inspiration. “Scripts! You said scripts!”
“…Yes.”
“Scripts! I mean scripts!” he got excited. “Street free plays! Carnival!”
Their greatest festival was the Carnival. The day before that was the All Souls Day, honoring the deceased, and on the next day, the living would take the scripts they had written to perform on the streets. The costumes might be silly, the plots rough, but everyone performed with all their heart, sharing their stories. On this day, all theaters and troupes opened for free, presenting a continuous stream of classic plays. People laughed or cried with the stories, expressing the boundless joy of being alive. Only after the nighttime parade would everyone disperse. This was the Carnival.
Among these plays were some centuries-old classics. The one Alexio remembered best was the tragedy ‘The Girl and the God of Death,’ which he had watched with the lunatic. It was performed by the largest theater troupe of the time, drawing unprecedented crowds.
The lunatic hadn't fully recovered his memory yet and didn't remember that they had watched that tragedy together, but Alexio didn't want to reveal too much, so he simply asked, “What do you think about promoting the revival of the Carnival as a theme?”
It was a brilliant idea.
Entertainment in this era was highly developed, and there was a strong yearning for various aspects of the ancient past. Lucius could foresee that once this proposal appeared, it would receive strong support and become a reality.
“That's excellent. I think we can discuss it with Andrei. The success of that movie from Pupil already demonstrates what people are looking for today.”
With the idea approved, Alexio finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just thinking about that play, his gaze passed over the crowd and rested briefly on the lich.
The tragedy he had in mind had a real-life inspiration, based on two of his friends.
The Girl and the God of Death.
The Princess and the Dragon.