Chapter 294: Queen? No—Pet.

The atmosphere had reached a tipping point. What filled the air now wasn’t just shock and fear—it was the crushing weight of inevitability.

Even the three terrestrial angels who represented the highest strength and foundation of the Victoria royal family had now completely fallen silent.

The underworld forces backing Lu Yan had actually managed to suppress a genuine Hidden Evil God.

Even if the Undying King ranked among the weakest of the Hidden Evil Gods, he was still a being that had stepped onto the path of godhood. The strength shown by the underworld was already far beyond anything the Victoria royal family could possibly contend with.

This was no longer just a matter of sequence level—it had transcended into a higher realm of rules and divine authority.

And that Royal Scepter, the symbol of the kingdom’s legitimacy and core power, was now firmly gripped in Lu Yan’s hand.

It was as though he held the throat of both the royal family and the nobility, leaving them with no effective means to resist.

As for seeking help from the most powerful faction in Victoria—the Church of Steam?

That thought flickered across the minds of some nobles, but it was quickly snuffed out.

In recent years, the royal family’s push for social reform and industrial revolution had triggered massive shifts in national faith, even forcing the Church of Steam to revise its doctrine—an act that sparked inner upheaval within the Church and left lasting grudges.

Several high-sequence powerhouses of the Church had perished in the resulting chaos. That blood debt had never been forgotten.

So long as this affair did not endanger the kingdom itself—if it was merely internal royal power struggles—the Church of Steam would likely be happy to watch from the sidelines. In fact, they might even wish for the royal family’s further decline, as it would allow them to expand their influence once more.

They would be delighted, not troubled.

Help the same royal family that once betrayed them? The idea was laughable.

And more importantly, many realized that the suppression of the Undying King was likely the true cause behind that earth-shaking upheaval in the graveyard district a month ago.

The royal family had sensed the violent clash of supernatural forces at the time, but what exactly had occurred was quickly sealed off by the Church of Steam.

This proved that the Church not only knew about the terrifying power behind Lu Yan and the underworld—they might have even personally witnessed the Undying King’s defeat.

Under such circumstances, even if the Church housed secret angels or angel kings under a True God, they would never willingly provoke a mysterious power capable of suppressing a Hidden Evil God.

Unless their core interests were at stake, neutrality—or even silent approval—would be the wisest course.

Thinking through it all, it became clear that only one path remained for the Victoria royal family.

To retreat with dignity—and accept the outcome orchestrated by Lu Yan.

“Elizabeth is, after all, still of House Charles’s blood. She is a princess of Victoria.”

That thought comforted the royal members and old nobility who had felt humiliated and unwilling until now. Their hearts eased, even if only slightly.

At least the one taking the throne wasn’t a total outsider. The legitimacy of her bloodline remained intact. That alone was the only thread of solace they could cling to.

“Elizabeth, step forward.”

Amid the shifting thoughts and the tense atmosphere, King Charles—who had been silently observing all along—finally spoke.

Though aged, his voice was still clear and strong.

Elizabeth turned at his words, her posture graceful as she stepped before the old throne that symbolized a fading era.

King Charles, decrepit in form but still sharp in mind, slowly raised his gaze. His aged eyes swept over the restless royal powerhouses, the conflicted great nobles, and even the silent phantom of the Stygian Angel floating above.

Finally, his gaze returned to Elizabeth.

Then, under everyone’s watchful eyes, he reached out with trembling hands and solemnly removed the crown of Victoria—the symbol of kingship—from his head.

“From this day forward,” the old king spoke with a sense of finality and release, “you, Elizabeth Victoria, shall be the new Queen of Victoria.”

He gently placed the heavy crown upon her head.

The crown itself was a powerful sealing artifact. The moment it touched Elizabeth’s hair, it adjusted its size and form automatically, transforming into a more elegant platinum coronet that shimmered with radiant brilliance.

At the same time, the formal gown she wore began to shift, glowing with a soft light until it became an opulent royal robe embroidered with the insignia of Victoria’s royalty. It framed her figure with noble grace, elevating her beauty to something transcendent.

“Thank you, Father.”

Elizabeth merely gave a slight curtsy, a flawless royal gesture performed with elegant ease and without the slightest affectation.

She then straightened, but her gaze didn’t linger on those below.

Instead, she looked straight toward the apex of the hall—to the Golden Throne where Lu Yan sat.

Under everyone’s silent gaze, Elizabeth ascended the steps with measured steps, silver heels glinting and her royal robe trailing behind her like a banner of supreme authority.

All eyes followed her, as if drawn by a magnetic force.

She finally arrived at the base of the Golden Throne, now just a few steps away from Lu Yan.

And there, before the stunned gaze of every royal and noble, the newly crowned queen slowly knelt.

Her magnificent royal robe fanned out across the golden steps. Her elegant body bowed low to the man seated upon the throne.

This act landed like a thunderclap in the hearts of every member of Victoria’s royal family and nobility. Their breath hitched as if their souls had been dragged down with Elizabeth’s kneeling form.

Their Queen—crowned mere moments ago—was kneeling before another man!

By all rights, after King Charles personally passed the crown to her, Elizabeth now held the kingdom’s highest authority.

Even before the popes of the Seven Churches, she need not perform such a gesture.

And yet, she knelt.

Before Lu Yan.

It was as if a blade had pierced the hearts of every noble and royal present. The humiliation, the suffocation—it was unbearable.

Several hot-headed nobles turned red with rage, their chests heaving. They wanted to roar in protest at this desecration of royal authority—only to realize with horror that their throats were bound by invisible chains. Not a single word could be spoken.

The Stygian Angel.

At some point, its deathly aura had silently spread across the hall like a formless shackle, sealing the mouths and powers of any who would disturb this ‘harmonious’ scene.

All they could do was watch—watch as Lu Yan reached out with a casual hand, and with the gentleness of stroking a loyal pet, laid his palm atop Elizabeth’s platinum-crowned head.

“Well done.”

His voice rang out in the silent hall, filled with satisfaction and praise.

Even now, adorned in her royal robe and crown, Elizabeth did not resist this seemingly offensive gesture.

Her spine remained straight—but her attitude was utterly submissive.

For she knew better than anyone: this crown, this glory, this salvation from despair—all of it came from the man before her.

Without Lu Yan, the best she could have hoped for was to be married off for political purposes—perhaps a foreign queen in name, a pawn in reality.

It was Lu Yan who had made her ambitions real, who had pushed her to a height she had never dared dream of.

And the only price… was absolute submission. To become his extension. His will incarnate.

Thoughts flashed like lightning through her mind.

Her lowered eyelids lifted slightly as she looked at the hand atop her head.

Then, to everyone’s shock, she made an even bolder move.

Elizabeth raised her gloved hands and gently took hold of Lu Yan’s palm.

And with the hall watching, she tilted her head, lips parting ever so slightly, and kissed his fingers.

It was a gesture of sacred devotion—reminiscent of a devout follower kissing the pontiff’s ring.

“I shall obey Your Grace’s will.”

She spoke softly, her tone gentle yet unwavering.

Lu Yan’s expression flickered for the first time, clearly not expecting such complete and voluntary submission.

He looked down at the Queen kneeling before him, then swept his gaze across the nobles and royals below—who burned with rage yet dared not meet his eyes.

The corners of his lips curved upward, and he burst into hearty laughter.

“Good! Very good! Excellent!”

His laughter echoed through the hall, full of satisfaction and the confidence of one who held all the cards.

When the laughter faded, Lu Yan withdrew his hand and grasped the Royal Scepter leaning beside the throne.

At that motion, every heart below tensed—especially those aligned with the Royal Path. Deep within their blood and soul, they felt a profound shudder.

Victoria had stood for tens of thousands of years. There had been many times in history when outside forces interfered with succession.

But as long as the Royal Scepter—the sole symbol of the kingdom’s legitimacy and root of the Royal Path—remained in royal hands, any temporary shame would be washed away by time.

The royal family’s foundation would remain unshaken.

That was why the three terrestrial angels had ultimately chosen silence. Why the royal powers tacitly accepted Elizabeth’s rise.

They placed their hopes in this.

Under the gaze of the entire hall, Lu Yan extended the gleaming scepter toward the still-kneeling Elizabeth.

“Take it.”

Elizabeth reached out with both hands and respectfully accepted the heavy, powerful scepter.

The moment her fingers touched it, both the platinum crown on her head and the Royal Scepter in her hands burst into radiant light.

The two artifacts resonated strongly, as if together proclaiming and enacting the supreme singularity of the Royal Path.

Bathed in this divine glow, Elizabeth’s figure radiated sanctity and majesty. Her aura surged upward, like a god incarnate walking the earth.

She slowly rose, turned, and faced the hall below.

Raising the scepter high, its gemstone blazed like the sun, illuminating the entire hall.

In that moment, the authority of the Queen was undeniable—holy and inviolable.

The nobles and royals, stunned and silent, finally abandoned all former resentment and humiliation.

One by one, they bowed their proud heads and knelt on one knee, paying their respects to Elizabeth.

It was not just allegiance to the new Queen—but submission to the path of royal power itself.

At last, Elizabeth had reached the pinnacle of her life—becoming the undisputed ruler of Victoria.

But just as the coronation reached its climax, a calm, alluring voice rang out from the Golden Throne behind her.

“This Royal Scepter… is but one-seventh of the Royal Path’s true singularity.”

Lu Yan’s voice was gentle, as if imparting a secret:

“If you can claim the other six, restore the complete singularity, and unite the totality of royal authority…

Elizabeth, with your potential, there may yet be a chance—”

His tone turned deep, almost divine:

“To step upon the path of True Godhood.”

“Remember this,” Lu Yan said, his words thunderous in Elizabeth’s heart, “what you have now… is only the beginning.”

His words struck her like lightning!

To step upon the path of godhood?

Such a magnificent, heart-pounding vision—one that stirred even the most hidden depths of her soul.

Her violet eyes turned misty. Beneath her queenly robes, her long legs shifted, heart flooded with an excitement and longing unlike anything she’d ever known.

Gripping the scepter tightly, a surge of confidence and dominion filled her entire being.

“I am Royal Authority!”

(End of Chapter)