Chapter 203 – Succession Ceremony (5)

For me, staying out of the public eye had always mattered more than any personal ambition.

I just wanted a peaceful life, doing what I enjoyed, without anyone bothering me.

But this overwhelming power didn’t seem willing to let me live simply.

The proof was in the crown they were trying to place on my head—a crown too heavy for someone who had always rejected ambition and desire.

A spacious dressing room, with mirrors lined up like folding screens.

“Oh, our Geom-Ma! Maybe it’s that imposing height of yours, but anything you wear looks spectacular.”

Media examined me from every angle with meticulous attention. Then she rubbed wax between her hands and applied it to my hair.

A cheerful smile naturally formed on her lips.

“With this sleek hairstyle… don’t you look like a frustrated idol?”

I was abruptly reminded that the Sage Media was incapable of lying.

‘And what’s a frustrated idol even supposed to look like?’

Was it a compliment… or not? A strange, ambiguous comparison.

Media moved closer and farther, making sure not a single fold was out of place. If she found one, she crouched to smooth it and then checked again.

She repeated that process for two hours. For those two hours, I was her mannequin.

“How’s the length of the pants? Are they okay? If they’re too short, they’ll bunch up in the crotch when you walk—and that’s a pain.”

She asked while folding the hem of my pants on her knees. In the mirror, the scene looked dangerously suggestive.

“I-it’s fine.”

“If you say so, I’ll believe you. But if you’re just saying it out of embarrassment, that’s not okay. Imagine being uncomfortable in front of tens of thousands of people.”

“I really am fine.”

Media genuinely seemed concerned. I waved my hand to show her everything was okay.

‘Why is Media even helping me get dressed in the first place?’

It felt like a young aunt taking her nephew shopping at the mall.

The problem was that this “aunt” looked far too young despite being nearly seventy.

Though I tried not to judge by appearances, Media’s beauty was lethal to any man.

‘Damn it. It’s not fair that someone who looks like that is almost seventy.’

As I thought that, the dressing room door opened.

“How can it take two hours to dress one person?”

The one who entered was the Swordmaster. He wore the same uniform as Media and me, but with a white cloak draped over his shoulders.

“There are only two hours left before the succession ceremony begins, Media. And we still have other tasks to complete.”

“Which is exactly why we need to spend more time getting him ready. In two hours, our Geom-Ma has to look like the most handsome man in the world.”

Media spoke with her hands on her hips. The Swordmaster rubbed his forehead.

“Dignitaries from around the world are waiting outside right now. Geom-Ma has an obligation to make at least one appearance before the ceremony.”

“Then let them wait one more hour.”

“Thirty minutes. Not a second more.”

The Swordmaster looked at me. He scanned me from head to toe as if evaluating my overall condition.

In that moment, the weariness etched into his wrinkles seemed to vanish.

“How are you feeling?”

“To be honest… I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream.”

“I understand. That’s how I felt 40 years ago. This very suit was given to me back then.”

The Swordmaster turned slightly, showing me his white cloak, embroidered in gold thread with two large characters, 劍帝 (Swordmaster).

“White symbolizes purity. Gold, splendor. Together, they represent the title of a hero. Yours is being brought by Mura—it should arrive any moment.”

Right—I still didn’t know what my official title would be.

Rumor had it that Chief Sung had created it personally.

When I asked him by message, he said it was “Classified Level 1.”

He only added that it “might move me.”

At the time, exhausted, I didn’t think much of it. But now that the day had arrived, I was burning with curiosity… and anxiety.
According to the Swordmaster, the character “검” (sword) had to be included.

The problem was, that severely limited the options.

“Sword” is the most common weapon, so titles using that character were already saturated—Swordmaster, Sword King, Sword Emperor, Sword Phantom.

What name could Sung have come up with in such a restricted range?

The title had to be only two characters, so “Sashimi Saint” was out. And using my real name, Geom-Ma? No way… right?

If it was, the first thing I’d do as a new Hero was pay a visit to Chief Sung in the hospital.

Come on, not even taking the wrong meds would make someone come up with something that absurd.

A new Hero with the name “Sword Demon”?

Inspiring, sure—just not if it was my nickname.

“……”

Suddenly, I felt a bit stifled. Maybe the tailored uniform was just too tight.

I took a deep breath and watched the exchange between Media and the Swordmaster.

In the end, the Swordmaster won the argument.

Media’s personal wishes weren’t enough to overrule the old man’s logic.

“Ahem.”

About to smile in victory, the Swordmaster covered his mouth with his fist and cleared his throat.

Media glared at him while biting her thumb. Clearly, she was worried about retaliation.

“Alright, let’s go. There are a lot of people waiting. The white cloak will arrive right before the ceremony, so for now, go out in just your uniform.”

The Swordmaster marched ahead.
Media and I followed.

Just before opening the door, he stopped abruptly. He turned slowly and looked me in the eye.

His gaze, which always felt above mine, now felt lower, more personal.

“You’ve got a bit of dust on your shoulder.”

He said, brushing off my uniform.

Though, honestly, Media had already smoothed everything. There wasn’t a speck.

“It feels like just yesterday when I first saw you—and look at you now.”

“That’s right.”

“Just one piece of advice. Beyond this door, there are people with daggers in their hearts. They’ll pretend to support you, but the moment they get a chance, they’ll try to stab you in the back.”

“I understand.”

“After I hand you the title, I won’t be able to help you like before. I’ll just be a retired old man. From now on, you’ll have to make your own way.
Media will be by your side, of course, but in the end, you’ll have to prove your worth yourself. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

His hand, brushing off imaginary dust, stopped and rested firmly on my shoulder.

That heavy gaze fell on me.
I scratched my forehead. I couldn’t find the right words. So I simply nodded silently.

The Swordmaster’s smile deepened.

“Yeah… men are measured more by what they hold back than by what they say. Seems like I’m the only one getting sentimental. You’re calm as ever.”

He withdrew his hand and grasped the door handle. He pushed it open forcefully.

Light from the other side spilled in with a creak.

Creak—

What had been just a sliver now became a full stage.

There they were—those who had been waiting.

I could see clearly that they were nobles and high-ranking officials.

High-level representatives from all over the world, gathered in one place.

They were so engrossed in their conversations that they didn’t notice the door had opened.

The only one who noticed was the president of Switzerland, Gaines, who had been watching the entrance.

Gaines raised his hand as if to greet me. But he didn’t wave.

Instead, he placed it over his chest, near his heart, and said my name.

“Mr. Geom-Ma.”

The murmuring that had filled the hall faded.

Dozens of eyes focused on me at once.

The hall, filled with political monsters, stared at me with sharp, gleaming eyes.

Gaines spoke again.

“I, Gaines, greet the new Hero of the Seven Stars.”

Gaines bowed deeply. His gesture took everyone by surprise.

The others looked around nervously, unsure what to do.

Their eyes darted anxiously, seeking approval from one another.

It was like they were waiting for someone to break the silence.

“From the Iron Family, Mao Lang sincerely congratulates Mr. Geom-Ma on his ascension as the new Hero of the Seven Stars.”

Everyone’s attention immediately shifted to her.

She was met with looks of confusion and astonishment.

But Mao Lang was unfazed.
She bowed gracefully, lifting her skirt slightly in a noble gesture.

Beside her, All Mute Khan Elizabeth raised her arm in a formal salute.

The straight line of her hand, precisely at eyebrow level, was flawless.

“On behalf of the United States, I, Khan Elizabeth, extend my congratulations.”

The murmur returned to the hall.
The politicians began sweating, foreheads beaded with cold sweat.

Their eyes rolled like marbles without direction.

The unspoken pact between them had been broken.

A young man bit his lip gently. He closed his eyes tightly and finally spoke.

“I am Beharn, eldest son of the Orland family. May glory accompany the new Hero of the Seven Stars.”

“……!”

That noble youth, surrendering his pride, created a new current in the room.

And as if waiting for that moment, they began introducing themselves one by one.

“I am Toyoyev Kurin, Prime Minister of Russia. Russia promises full cooperation to Mr. Geom-Ma.”

“I-I am the second daughter of the Buona family from Italy. We too…”

One after another, they all began to speak.

At that point, they preferred to swallow their pride rather than stand out for their indifference.

As I watched in silence, the Swordmaster murmured beside me.

“So, how do you feel now?”

“……”

Before answering, I glanced once more at everyone present.

And sincerely, I replied.

“Not bad at all.”

***

…After nearly two hours of introductions alone had passed.

Thump, thump.

A rumble, like a synchronized stampede, shook the marble floor. At the faint vibrations, the Swordmaster furrowed his brow.

“At least he’s punctual. Exactly five minutes before the ceremony begins.”

Changseong pushed his way through the crowd, shoulders first.

Those who collided with him hit the ground without mercy, and even those he merely brushed aside were sent flying several meters.

Still, not a single complaint was heard.

After all, anyone who dared raise their voice at that monster in human form would likely lose their teeth.

Baring his teeth like a bandit, Changseong spoke.

“Kuhahaha! Isn’t just being on time enough? Don’t be such a sourpuss, Nibelung.”

“You brought the most important thing, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

Changseong stopped in front of me.

With a satisfied grin, he handed me the white bundle he held in his hand.

“Your white cloak. It might sound like boss pride, but Chief Sung really poured his heart into this. Once you read the inscription, I guarantee you’ll be surprised.”

I received the white cloak with a tense expression.

The rough fabric felt coarse against my palms.

I swallowed and unfolded it carefully, nervous about what might be embroidered on it.

“Ah…”

My eyes, full of disbelief, locked onto the two large characters stitched into the fabric.

Media, standing beside me, chimed in.

“Wow! This is amazing! Isn’t it? Someone like our Geom-Ma needed a title like this. What do you think, Sieg?”

“It’s fine.”

“Don’t say ‘it’s fine’ with that grumpy face. Be honest. You’re jealous because the title is too cool, right?”

“You think so little of me?”

“Yes.”

“……”

The Swordmaster sighed deeply. Just then, Saki Kojima also entered the hall.

“It’s time. Everyone, bow.”

At a small nod from the Swordmaster, the crowd stepped aside to open a path.

They were all nobles or high-ranking officials.

Boom, boom.

The drums from outside pounded their way indoors.

For a moment, they sounded like a heartbeat.

The Swordmaster stepped back and placed the white cloak on my shoulders.

The weight of the epaulets exerted a subtle but firm pressure.

All eyes turned to me—not to those behind me, but to me alone.

The Swordmaster spoke.

“Lead the march.”

His voice, soft but resolute, echoed once more through the silence.

“We’ll follow you.”