Ch.80Award Ceremony (1)

The ceremony continued with bereaved families and mourners placing flowers before the memorial, but…

I was no longer paying attention to such things.

I was in shock from the absurd backstory that had been revealed.

Lacy Elmaine Stardolf.

A woman who came all the way from the Holy State to the Empire to be recognized not just as a saint candidate but as a true saint.

She was a character who, after helping the Empire save countless people and vanquishing all manner of evil, would finally come to be called the Empire’s Saint.

So when they said “Empire’s Saint,” they meant the Third Empire…

I recalled the saint candidate’s speech again.

One race, one world, one faith. And the extermination of Werebeasts.

It was an extreme and radical speech. It was strange that neither the other priests nor imperial figures tried to stop her.

…That means the speech itself was according to all their intentions.

Was the purpose to stimulate people’s emotions and instill the justification that all Werebeasts must be killed?

And while they’re at it, redirect any potential citizen anger toward the imperial family toward the Werebeasts instead?

It’s certainly effective.

Both rough and gentle people were whispering to each other that the extermination of Werebeasts seemed like the right thing to do.

When I think about it, it does sound right…?

Come to think of it, was that why she was oddly cold toward me?

The Ka’har’s reputation was originally no different from that of Werebeasts as a non-human race. She probably wanted to kill me deep down, taking advantage of this opportunity.

However, considering how unusually receptive I was to Elpinel’s blessing and how I risked my life to protect the citizens of the capital, she couldn’t be certain if harming me was truly the right thing to do, hence her ambivalent attitude.

Personally, I think that’s probably the case. But what’s the actual truth?

—-

By the time I finished pondering, the funeral mass had concluded.

It was finally time for the ceremony to honor the contributors to this incident and bestow appropriate rewards.

Traditionally, such events were held inside the cathedral, but this time it was specially conducted in the middle of the square.

There was a need to showcase the heroes who saved them and the promising talents to the people gathered here.

A massive platform was prepared at the front of the square.

Several knights and soldiers moved busily, and in less than 10 minutes, they had assembled a proper stage.

Imperial figures and high nobles lined up on the platform.

The Emperor and the two princes, Lord Wien, Lord Landenburg, the archbishops of the Church of Elpinel and the Church of Saulite, and several other nobles I didn’t recognize.

The students invited to the ceremony, including myself, stepped forward.

Frider, Asha, Demian, Millia, Edgar.

All were students who had defeated Werebeast warriors.

I thought Ophelia would have taken down at least one Werebeast… but she wasn’t present.

Well, since she’s in a position to hide her abilities because of her sister, perhaps she kept her victory over a Werebeast secret.

Perneisia probably had no intention of coming in the first place.

She’s probably drinking in her room today as well.

It was rather surprising that Edgar was included.

His only tactic would be to cast healing miracles on himself and engage in wars of attrition.

To win against a Werebeast by competing in recovery ability, his vitality must be at the level of a cockroach, not a human.

Countless eyes focused on us.

Millia’s expression was stiff with tension, as if this was her first time receiving such attention.

Demian and Asha were simply smiling lightly, while Frider maintained her usual dignified appearance.

Edgar’s eyes shone with emotion.

I was still feeling dazed, so I couldn’t tell what expression I was making.

‘The Were Eater… unlike the rumors… they said she resembled a monster…’

‘My son said she was like a daffodil princess… she is beautiful indeed… but not quite a daffodil…?’

The murmuring voices echoed around my ears.

‘There were rumors about the goddess’s knight… why a Ka’har…’

‘I heard she’s a master at that age… I wonder if it’s true…’

‘I saw it that day…! Definitely a new master…’

They’re all talking about me rather than the other kids.

There was nothing particularly new in what they were saying, so I could easily ignore it.

When all the honored students had ascended the platform, the Emperor stepped forward.

Up close, his thinning hair and sagging wrinkles were clearly visible, making him look pitiful.

“Young heroes who, despite your tender age, have rendered brilliant service to humanity in the midst of this urgent crisis. This is the Empire’s expression of gratitude to you and a testament to your honor. I, unworthy as I am, consider it an honor to stand here.”

We all knelt on one knee before the Emperor, as per the procedure we had been instructed on beforehand.

The awards would be presented in reverse order of merit, so my turn would be last.

The Emperor approached Asha.

“Lord Asha of the Red Copper Clan. Despite being a non-human race with no relation to humanity, we thank you for your dedication in facing the Werebeast warriors who attacked the special admission students, and the villains who spread throughout the city. I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Imperial Knight and the Second Class Medal of Honor.”

The rank of knight and a medal of honor. In truth, these rewards didn’t hold much meaning on their own.

A dwarf wouldn’t work as a knight in the Empire, and what use would an imperial medal be to him?

“And I’ve heard that you expended your assets generously against the Werebeasts. I shall award you three times the silver you lost as compensation.”

“I sincerely express my gratitude for the Empire’s grace.”

Right. For Asha, this was the real reward.

With his wealth effectively tripled, Asha bowed his head with a smile, clearly showing his joy.

“Lord Edgar, Paladin candidate of the Elpinel faith. You stood against the Werebeasts attacking citizens without retreating a single step, protecting them through your struggle. It was truly a commendable effort worthy of being a model for the Church of Elpinel. I shall likewise bestow upon you the Second Class Medal of Honor. The Church will also express due praise for your devotion.”

“I accept with honor. May Elpinel’s protection eternally bless the Empire.”

In Edgar’s case, he received only the medal.

Perhaps there was no need to grant him the rank of knight since he was already certain to be appointed as a Paladin.

“Lord Demian, Lady Millia. Despite your young age, you defeated two pureblooded warriors and one mixed-blood warrior, and heroically fought against the Werebeast champion. I’ve heard that without you, the damage to the academy students would have been immeasurable.”

Indeed, if Demian and Millia hadn’t held Natalya back, the first-year students would have all died before I arrived.

“All the subjects you saved will forever praise the courage you showed that day. I bestow upon you the rank of knight and the Second Class Medal of Military Merit. We could ask for nothing more than your continued dedication to the Empire’s subjects.”

“I sincerely thank you for this excessive honor.”

“Th-thank you very much!”

Demian and Millia received the Medal of Military Merit rather than the Medal of Honor.

Because they achieved outstanding military accomplishments by blocking the enemy’s core forces.

By defeating pureblooded Werebeasts, they had already proven themselves to possess skills surpassing those of ordinary knights.

With this, I suppose those two have also taken a successful first step.

“Lady Frider van Faelrun of Faelrun. Your achievement in eliminating several pureblooded warriors and numerous Werebeasts, and your excellent performance that once again reminds us of the ducal house’s reputation, is commendable. I shall also bestow upon you the Second Class Medal of Military Merit.”

“It was merely the duty expected of one bearing the name of Faelrun.”

Perhaps because this was an official occasion, Frider’s attitude was extremely courteous.

The lack of additional rewards beyond the military medal was probably because they would be meaningless.

She likely already held the rank of knight, and monetary rewards would be of no value to the daughter of a ducal house.

“A truly reassuring statement. Having Faelrun in the northern part of the Empire is truly a blessing from the gods. I shall duly convey the imperial favor to the Duke of Faelrun as well. I believe the Duke will be proud of you.”

“It is an honor. Faelrun will forever protect the northern part of the Empire.”

Indeed, it seems the imperial court plans to bestow appropriate rewards to the Faelrun ducal house rather than to Frider personally.

In fact, from the moment Werebeasts appeared in the capital, they could have blamed the northern border’s inadequate security… but there’s no reason to create friction with Faelrun.

Especially now, with the imperial authority weakened and the Werebeast threat theory gaining strong support.

“Finally, I would like to introduce the greatest contributor to this incident. I ask everyone to welcome her.”

Finally, it was my turn.

As I stepped to the front of the platform, tens of thousands of eyes focused on me.

Indeed, it’s a bit nerve-wracking.

Not enough to make my fingers tremble, but enough to make me swallow involuntarily.

I thought I was gradually getting used to having many people’s attention on me…

But when the number reaches tens of thousands, it’s definitely a bit overwhelming.

“Princess Haschal Median Aishan-Gioro of Ka’har.”

Since my exploits had already spread throughout the capital, no one was shocked to hear my identity.

There was some murmuring about the rumors, though.

…At least the malicious rumors about my appearance resembling a monster should disappear now. Should I be happy about that?