Even in late summer, the morning sun still prickled the scalp.
The central plaza of the Holy Machinery Court University was bustling with people.
Senius and other scholars, including Kerben, sat solemnly on the high stage, with hundreds of university students below.
With scrolls tucked under their arms, the students chattered noisily, laughing and joking.
Until the Ceremonial Officer loudly proclaimed: "Universal Shepherd of the Thousand River Valley, Honorary Chief Justice of Black Snake Bay, Saint Grandson Saint Pope of the Holy Axis Alliance, our great sun, His Majesty Horn Gallar, is arriving——"
The guards' boots clicked together, and the long trumpet sounded, instantly quieting the crowd.
Horn, dressed in ceremonial robes, stepped onto the podium, and the students below immediately beat their chests and waved.
The reverberating salute echoed like a landslide and tsunami: "Re-verent! Sincere!"
