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As the sunset approached.

The two of them received word that all preparations were complete and promptly left the reception room.

“It feels oddly lively.”

“Yeah.”

Thanks to gathering the officials before today’s awards ceremony, the once-silent imperial palace was now buzzing with activity.

There weren’t an overwhelming number of people, but seeing these elegantly dressed individuals chattering made Edgar’s stomach twist.

“Receiving an award from His Majesty in front of those people… I’m so nervous.”

“Is that so? There were plenty of people at the succession ceremony too.”

Ariel casually scanned the gathering and noticed that there were certainly more people at the succession ceremony than now.

Despite that, Edgar’s display of anxiety seemed somewhat perplexing to her.

“That time, I was just sharing the spotlight. Today, it’s all on me.”

“Pfft, I just don’t get it.”

Ariel smiled playfully as if she understood what he was trying to say, even if just a little.

If the roles were reversed, and it was Ariel standing alone in that situation on the day of the succession ceremony, she definitely wouldn’t feel as comfortable as back then.

While she wouldn’t be overly anxious, she would certainly feel a degree of unease.

“Don’t worry. You did just fine in front of Father, didn’t you?”

“Hey, that’s totally different.”

Remembering the awards ceremony held at Robeheim Castle, Ariel teased him with a grin, and Edgar retorted in a frustrated tone.

At least back then, the people surrounding them were familiar faces—even Yulken, who handed out the awards. But today, he would be receiving a medal from no one less than the sovereign of the country in front of a crowd of complete strangers.

His mental preparedness was on an entirely different level.

“Anyway, just do your best. I can’t have you embarrassing me.”

“Seriously? That’s all you can say to your anxious lover?”

“Hmph, I even gave you my lap pillow. I mean, it was personally offered by the lord of the ducal house, so show some appreciation!”

“Damn it.”

Edgar let out a short sigh, realizing he had just been outsmarted by Ariel after so long.

He never expected to receive such cute encouragement from her, but facing the harsh reality was certainly tough.

“Ah…! Sir Edgar, there you are. It’s time to prepare.”

Just as he was bickering with Ariel, a man approached Edgar with a polite tone, informing him that time was running short.

Upon seeing Edgar’s dazed expression, Ariel couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh as she poked his shoulder.

“See? Why aren’t you going?”

“…”

Edgar bit his lip, vowing to take revenge upon his return as he followed the man behind him, hoping that whatever this awards ceremony was would be over quickly.

—

The imperial palace of the Helbenior Empire was on a whole different scale of magnificence compared to other castles.

As proof of this, the palace grounds were filled with all sorts of annexes and special rooms, some constructed for very specific purposes.

For instance, the place Edgar was heading to today was a special room known as the Hero’s Room.

In fact, it was more accurate to call it an annex, given its enormous size, but since it was located within the palace, it was classified as a special room.

As can be deduced from its name, the purpose of this room was to honor those who achieved great feats.

Therefore, it wasn’t used during regular awards ceremonies, and being recognized here was considered a rare honor that one might only receive once in a lifetime.

Edgar was utterly dumbfounded by the fact that he was coming to such a place as the main character.

Initially, he thought it would be a relatively simple affair since the emperor had explicitly told him not to feel burdened, so this felt like a devastating thunderbolt.

‘More than anything, the fact that I will have my name placed there is quite daunting.’

One of the primary sources of his anxiety was a massive monument residing in this Hero’s Room.

Earlier, Edgar had been staring dumbfoundedly at the enormous monument flanked by statues of knights, which people referred to as the Hero Stone.

This Hero Stone bore the names of all those previously honored in the Hero’s Room, and even Edgar, who was present today, was included among them.

Since this monument was created to commemorate the names of those who dedicated their lives and honor to great causes, it wasn’t simply about being celebrated for performing great deeds.

However, Edgar questioned whether what he did was truly deserving of such recognition.

The term “hero” felt far too distant from him.

Besides, even though he was the lord of the ducal house, he wasn’t sure if saving just one person was enough to qualify him for such an occasion.

But all his confusion faded when he caught sight of Ariel on his left.

For her sake, who would be watching this moment more joyfully than anyone else, he felt he needed to boldly step forward and etch his name on that monument.

To stand next to the lord of the ducal house, he had to have that kind of resolve and pride.

‘Here we go.’

While he pondered, Barthus appeared between the statues, taking a seat on a golden chair.

Seeing that, Edgar cautiously took a step forward and positioned himself at the gold line drawn on the red carpet, like in a race.

“Thank you to all the officials and royal knights who have gathered here today to grace this occasion.”

‘So that’s the royal knights.’

Only then did Edgar recognize the identities of those lined up on either side of the emperor, clad in silver armor.

He never imagined that the royal knights would be present at such an event.

On the one hand, they were the very figures most suited to the title of heroes, making their presence perhaps a form of morale boost.

“We are all aware that not long ago, we almost lost an important asset of our country in Whitewood. Is that not so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

News of Yulken’s kidnapping had spread only after the situation had somewhat settled, but when it first broke, it sent shockwaves through the nation.

Some insisted that the news of him being alive was a falsehood, suggesting that it was a hoax spread to prevent unrest in the city under the Robeheim Family’s control.

However, once Yulken made his public appearance, all such conspiracy theories vanished, and attention turned to one man.

That man was none other than Edgar Billhark, known for having come to the aid of the lord of the ducal house, all alone.

At first, there were many who thought it was a somewhat exaggerated tale, but once Yulken and Ariel detailed every step from the rescue, it was even said that his contributions were understated.

Many declared that if it hadn’t been for him, there would have been no option to rescue Yulken.

Some began to praise him as a loyal vassal, a true knight, especially after the nation stabilized a bit.

Regardless of how Edgar viewed his own achievements, the reactions of everyone else were nothing short of miraculous.

“In that moment of despair, the man standing before you now, not yet of age, risked everything to rescue him. He stood alone against those savage aliens, clearing a path, returning the lord of the ducal house to us.”

Barthus delivered his speech using his rather slender arms and hands, while those watching, especially from the knights, alternated glances between the young man in the center and the emperor with awe.

For those who entered the knights, the most crucial thing was always their mindset.

When danger strikes suddenly and the surroundings become chaotic, can you give up your life like a straw for your lord and the people you must protect?

Most likely, they entered the knights with the belief that they could do it, but when faced with that situation, they expected to hesitate.

That’s just human nature.

And that was why the young man before them felt so remarkable.

“He has shown us the spirit of knighthood that we had forgotten. Although his achievements are great, what I wish to emphasize the most is that point. Don’t you all agree?”

“That is true, Your Majesty!”

Even though the northern tribes were causing disturbances, this nation was on the peaceful side.

But peace often makes one forget the dearly held values that come at a price.

During their peaceful times, the concept of knights and the spirit of chivalry had become mere relics in the minds of many.

In light of this, Barthus introduced a figure like Edgar to clarify their minds.

To remind everyone that there still exists such an excellent loyal vassal in this land.

“Today, in this ceremony, I, Bartheus Helbenior, shall inscribe his name upon this Hero Stone, so that it may be remembered for generations to come. Let no one forget that a new hero has been born today!”

As Bartheus raised his voice boldly, he gestured for Edgar to step forward. Edgar slowly ascended the podium, bowing his head before him.

Then, as Bartheus received a sword from a lady standing beside him, he gently tapped Edgar’s shoulder with it, and a blue orb appeared above Edgar, resting on the sword.

As Bartheus approached the Hero Stone with the sword in his hand, the blue light radiating from the stone enveloped the orb, eventually engraving Edgar’s name in a previously blank section.

“Edgar Billhark. Let us applaud his newly inscribed name on this glorious Hero Stone!”

Spinning around in place, Edgar saluted the crowd on either side, and thunderous applause erupted.

Amidst all the noise, Ariel remained motionless, gazing at Edgar, who was being showered with congratulations and praise from the crowd, wearing a gentle smile.

Her desire was that his existence remain known only to her, but sometimes she believed it wasn’t so bad to witness her precious one being treated this way by an unspecified multitude.

 

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