episode_0081

“Kahar has certainly been a threat to the eastern part of the empire for hundreds of years. However, in the end, they also declared peace and walked the same path as the empire, and this will be a great advancement that will leave a mark in the history of the empire.”

The emperor took a step forward and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“And, Princess Aishangior proved this with an indomitable struggle that did not spare her life. As an incredible feat, he personally subdued 30% of the beastmen and even defeated their great warriors. If it weren’t for the princess’s dedication, tens of thousands of her subjects would have been sacrificed even more, so she is truly a hero who saved the system.”

When the emperor officially confirmed the rumor that Daejeonsa had been defeated, people’s eyes were filled with admiration.

Everyone probably knew that I was active, but there were many who doubted the information that I had subdued Daejeonsa.

“I will bestow upon the princess the title of knight of the empire, the first-class military medal, and the title of master. He proved the birth of a new master by single-handedly defeating the great warrior of the beast. This is a great achievement in further advancement of human power and a blessing bestowed upon the empire by the gods.”

“Thank you.”

It’s the blessing of the empire. It was a surprising story for those gathered.

If a master appears in Ka`har, it is a blessing given to Ka`har and not specifically a blessing from the empire.

“I would like to take this opportunity to announce that as of today, the imperial family has decided to accept Princess Aishangior as a member of the empire in name and reality. This decision was made not only out of gratitude for the princess’s achievements, but also because we learned surprising facts about her lineage.”

Perhaps sensing the people’s doubts, the Emperor continued as if to explain.

“The fact that half of the princess’s bloodline is that of the empire’s nobles.”

In an instant, the surroundings became noisy.

After all, most people probably didn’t know that I was of mixed blood, and that I was also of mixed blood with an imperialist.

My appearance was clearly different from the average Ka`har as I was mixed race, but I guess they just thought all Ka`har looked like this, right?

In the East, people in the Islands have never actually seen Ka’har.

“The princess’s mother was originally the daughter of the Median family, a noble family of the empire. The last heir of the Median family, the baron of a now sadly fallen empire… Therefore, I wish to return the Median castle and baronial title to Princess Hashall Aishangior. So I believe there will be no one opposing this.”

There was no public backlash.

I didn’t know what he was thinking inside.

Well, with the emperor saying things like that, how can there be anyone who would openly oppose it?

It’s not even a high title, just a baronet.

“In that case, please welcome everyone with applause. The birth of the fifty-second master who inherited the blood of the empire.”

The emperor raised me up and held me out in front of the public.

I forced the corners of my mouth to smile to look as friendly as possible.

The returning eyes contained a variety of emotions.

wonderment. Relieved. thanks. east longitude. Lust. suspicion. Embarrassment. distrust. expectation.

The gaze of young children who admire them as if they were looking at a hero. The eyes of Danes who are still trying to suppress their lingering hostility.

Compliments from women who admire my appearance. Even the dark eyes of some men filled with dark desires.

Except for the sticky lust, the rest was bearable.

There was no pledge of allegiance.

Receiving an honorary title of nobility and pledging to be loyal to the emperor have different weights.

The latter was something she should not have done as a princess of a foreign country.

That’s how the award ceremony ended.

With the Emperor’s closing speech, all official ceremonies came to an end.

Those who had gathered in front of the plaza dispersed in small groups, sharing stories of the day with each other.

What followed was a meeting between nobles only.

It wasn’t a banquet.

If you hold a banquet right after the funeral mass, public sentiment will be thrown into the gutter.

It was simply a time for several nobles inside the cathedral to gather together, discuss current issues, or introduce new faces.

It is said that there will be a ball held where all of the island’s nobles will gather someday, but that will happen later, not today.

Are you planning to coincide with the anniversary of officially declaring the complete recovery of the system?

For now, we’ve just finished cleaning things up.

—-

We were also invited to the meeting and taken inside the cathedral.

The interior of the cathedral was beyond splendid and even brilliant.

Arch-shaped walls rose from each floor of the octagonal structure to support the dome of the ceiling.

On the two-story high wall, icons made of colored glass pieces attached instead of ordinary glass windows gave off a dazzling light.

The high ceiling dome was decorated with frescoes depicting the achievements of Emperor Carolus and his twelve knights.

The central hall was empty, as if the long rows of chairs that would have originally been lined up in two rows had been temporarily removed, and various nobles were gathered in groups of twos and threes chatting with each other.

The emperor had returned to the imperial palace for health reasons, so only the two princes remained in the cathedral.

The nobles belonging to the factions of the two princes, Leopold and Ernst, gathered around their respective lords, glaring at each other and growling.

On the other hand, the Marquis Ludwig and the Duke of Vienna were having a quiet conversation on one side of the cathedral with the two archbishops.

Naturally, no nobles approached that direction.

Everyone must be curious as to what the four Electors are chatting about… No single noble would have the audacity to come between them.

Friede stood in the corner and sipped wine.

His attitude seemed to be that he did not want to get involved in the factional issues of other nobles.

Therefore, no one bothered to approach her.

The wisest decision would be to just leave Palun as neutral.

Asha was going to the emerging nobles and talking about her business plans.

Good choice. Since they are newly elevated to noble positions through the power of capital, they are sensitive to stories that can make money.

Edgar turned to the members of the church.

I was moved by Lacey’s speech or something. I can never understand the sensibilities of religious people.

I took Damien and Milia to see the cathedral.

If we leave them alone, strange nobles might come after these two. Especially Millia.

Fortunately, no one has approached us explicitly yet.

Is it because I was giving off the impression that he shouldn’t talk to me?

If it was a prom, there might be someone who would insist on dancing, but this wasn’t that kind of place.

…But there were still people who glanced at me.

“Everything is sparkling…I feel like I’m in another world.”

Millia seemed to find this situation quite awkward.

He was busy fidgeting and adjusting the hem of his clothes or looking around.

Honestly, it looked pretty cute.

“It is true that it is a different world. Except for the cathedrals in the capital of the Holy Kingdom, there is probably no cathedral anywhere more splendid than this one.”

In terms of settings.

“Yeah…? You know surprisingly well, right?”

“…I saw it in a book.”

I came up with a suitable excuse.

A book-reading barbarian is probably as rare as an orc ballerina.

If you think about it, was it a world where orcs were already extinct?

“It’s gorgeous.”

Damian was surprisingly calm. Even though he probably wasn’t that familiar with places like this.

What a unique personality.

I was planning to go with him later when the number of subjugation missions increases, so there will be more opportunities to get a good understanding of his personality when that time comes.

I was leaving him alone now because he didn’t deserve it, but growing Damian was a task that must be done in the future.

If you think about the distant future, a holy sword will definitely be needed… In reality, only those who are chosen as heroes can use a holy sword.

In other words, it’s impossible for anyone other than Damian.

It’s not an easy task that I can go through alone, trusting only one person.

—-

After watching for some time, Leopold called me over to him.

He said he would introduce the new master of the empire to everyone.

…okay. I definitely asked you to act reasonably friendly.

Although it is a bit blatant to call me like this when Ernst is right next to me.

I glanced at Ernst, and he was looking at me with an expression like, ‘Well then.’

Yeah, whatever. It probably doesn’t matter because they probably already guessed it.

“Friede, leave these two in your care for a while. So that flies do not stick to it.”

“Huh? what? Hey, wait a minute. What are you doing to me now-”

“Then please-!”

He quickly passed by Friede, who was embarrassed, and headed towards Leopold.

Once you put it up like that, Damian will behave appropriately.

Because he’s a quick-witted guy.

As I approached Leopold, he smiled brightly and welcomed me.

The nobles around me were amazed when they saw my face up close.

“Welcome to officially becoming a member of the empire. Princess Hashal Median Aishangior.”

“I don’t know what to do with Your Majesty’s welcome. If it’s not rude, may I ask you why you called me?”

The nobles flinched in surprise at the fluent politeness that flowed from the barbarian’s mouth.

“Although it is a public event, there is no need to be very formal. The princess is my close friend. You may speak at your convenience. …don’t be too comfortable.”

The nobles around him laughed out loud, probably thinking it was a joke.

I’m probably serious, but that’s it.