Chapter 5: The Coronation of the Spider King
After a long, silent moment, the Arachne Monarch's wounds fully healed under the care of the healer spiders. Slowly, she stood, her gaze fixed on Haruto with newfound reverence.
Haruto, meanwhile, found himself seated on a crude yet regal throne of woven silk and stone. The sheer weight of the moment pressed down on him, making his muscles tense. A throne? Me? The idea felt ridiculous, yet here he was, surrounded by creatures treating him like royalty.
To his shock, many of the spiders were clapping their forelegs together in excitement.
"Look how great he looks!" one of them cheered.
"He truly is worthy of the title!" another chimed in.
The Arachne Monarch suddenly dropped to one knee before him.
Haruto felt his chest tighten at the sight. She was my enemy just moments ago… and now she kneels before me?
"Arachne, you don't need to kneel!" he said hastily.
"My lord, it would be disrespectful for me not to show my honor," she replied, her tone unwavering.
Haruto hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "O-Okay…" He tried to gather his thoughts before asking, "Do you guys have names? I can't just call you all 'spider' forever."
The spiders exchanged uncertain glances. The Arachne Monarch spoke first, "Monsters like us do not possess names, my lord."
Haruto blinked, taken aback. No names? No identity beyond what they are? He frowned. "Then I'll give you all names," he declared. "It wouldn't feel right otherwise."
The Arachne Monarch's eyes held a hint of hesitation before she bowed her head. "As you wish, my lord."
Haruto studied her carefully—her long black hair, pale white skin, and piercing crimson eyes. He pondered for a moment before speaking. "Arachne… from now on, your name will be Liora—for light."
The Monarch—Liora—tensed briefly before lowering her head further. "I am honored, my lord."
Haruto then turned to four other spiders, selecting those who had stepped forward as significant figures in the colony.
"You… you'll be Solin—like the warmth of the sun."
"And you—Nyx. The embodiment of the night."
"For you, Zephyr—swift as the wind."
"And lastly, Vesper—twilight's quiet guardian."
Each spider bowed in gratitude as they received their new names. Haruto smiled slightly, feeling a sense of accomplishment—until a sudden dizziness overtook him. His vision swam, and he barely had time to react before he stumbled forward.
"W-What's… going on…?"
Azara's voice echoed in his mind, calm yet urgent.
"Warning: Critical depletion of Arcanum reserves detected. Immediate hibernation protocol initiated. Consciousness will be forcibly suspended to prevent system collapse."
Haruto's eyelids grew impossibly heavy. "Why didn't you… tell me before…" His words slurred as darkness swallowed his consciousness.
As his body slumped forward, Liora swiftly caught him, her expression shifting from reverence to concern.
"Our king needs rest," she said, her voice steady but firm.
The newly named spiders gathered around, watching over their slumbering ruler.
For the first time in history, their kind had a king.
And soon, the world would know it too.