Chapter 354

“Then, hold onto this for me.”

I handed Durandal over to Leonor.

Until now, I hadn’t paid much attention, but apparently, unless you’re the Emperor’s personal guard, you’re not supposed to carry a sword in front of him. Especially at formal events like this.

Personally, I think it’s just meaningless pomp and ceremony.

Frankly speaking, if I wanted to kill Leopold, what difference would it make whether I had a sword or not? A single slap would probably make his head explode.

No, I wouldn’t even need to lift a hand. Just focusing my killing intent would be enough to give him a heart attack.

Still, if I want to live in the Empire, I have to follow its customs.

I left Leonor in the carriage and headed into the cathedral alone.

“That’s her…”

As soon as I stepped out of the carriage, countless eyes turned toward me, but unlike before, no one seemed terrified.

The ordinary crowd looked at me with a mix of admiration and awe, while the nobles’ gazes were filled with wariness and greed.

It was like they were looking at a tamed dinosaur.

Considering how I used to be treated like a monster just for showing my face, this was a remarkable change.

At this point, I should probably return the ring Lacey gave me.

—

The cathedral was packed with people, and aside from the red carpet in the center, there was barely any room to step.

The sky above, as if celebrating today’s event, was crystal clear, and despite it being autumn, the air was warm.

Sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows cast a dazzling array of colors, illuminating the cathedral’s interior in a majestic and splendid display.

“The Radiant Knight, Hersela Aishangior de Count Median, has arrived!”

A knight standing at the entrance announced my arrival.

His voice was so loud that the pronunciation got a bit messed up, turning it into an Empire-style name.

I walked forward confidently, drawing the attention of all the nobles.

Toward Leopold, who stood in the distance.

As befitting a formal occasion, Leopold, like the late Emperor Ferdinand, was dressed in lavish formal wear with a crimson sable cloak draped over his shoulders.

Unlike Ferdinand, who had looked sickly and frail, Leopold appeared majestic and imposing.

The crown on his head reflected the sunlight, creating a halo-like glow that added to his威严.

…Is the crown really glowing?

[That guy, is he going to start emitting divine light from his forehead next? It’s so bright I can’t even see.]

Hersela chuckled mockingly.

Just yesterday, she had pitied him, but it seems her sympathy lasted only a day.

Ignoring her scorn, I approached the podium where Leopold stood.

Along the way, Lacey caught my eye and gave me a slight smile and a nod.

Her gaze was filled with goodwill, as if she was immensely proud of me for defeating the Beast King.

I knelt on one knee before the podium, bowing my head slightly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I observed the reactions of the nobles gathered around Leopold.

There were military officers who respected my strength and achievements, young nobles who couldn’t hide their envy at my rapid rise, and even Duke Bien’s faction, who were struggling to suppress their hostility and resentment.

It was quite the diverse crowd.

“In this sacred place, the Exra-shapel Cathedral, watched over by the eleven great gods, it is my honor to preside over this ceremony.”

With Leopold’s solemn words, the award ceremony finally began.

—

As I had heard beforehand, there wasn’t any particularly complicated procedure.

It was just endlessly long.

“—After defeating the witch Isabella, who sought to bring ruin to the Empire through her evil deeds…and later, the self-proclaimed Winter Wolf…by eliminating them, peace and prosperity were brought not only to the north but to the entire Empire…”

Leopold didn’t just talk about my achievements; he went on and on about the evils and dangers of the enemies I had defeated.

The speech dragged on endlessly.

It seems the higher someone’s status, the more they love to hear themselves talk. The initial sense of grandeur had completely faded, replaced by sheer boredom.

…When is this going to end?

“In recognition of these merits, I hereby bestow the following rewards upon Count Median. Raise your head, Count.”

Ah, it’s finally coming to an end.

Still kneeling, I slightly raised my head to look at Leopold.

Though his face was hard to see because of the blinding light.

“Count Median. The rightful heir of the Twelve Knights and the Empire’s strongest knight. In this sacred place, the Exra-shapel Cathedral, watched over by the gods, I ask you as one who carries the bloodline of Emperor Carolus.”

Leopold began to speak.

“Do you, Hersela Aishangior de Median, swear as my vassal and a noble of Kal Ros, to fulfill the duties bestowed upon you and to remain loyal to the Empire’s ruler?”

What’s this?

I thought I was getting a reward, but now he’s making me swear loyalty.

Is this what he meant by giving an appropriate answer?

“…As long as Your Majesty does not abandon me, I will follow you to the end.”

It might be a bit rude.

Essentially, I’m saying I’ll stay loyal as long as you don’t betray me first.

Leopold’s eyes twitched slightly, as if he hadn’t expected this kind of answer, but as expected, he didn’t point it out.

After all, he had told me himself that I could be honest. This should be fine.

“Then I ask again, Radiant Knight. Do you swear to raise your sword to destroy the Empire’s enemies and dedicate your life to protecting humanity from calamity?”

“I swear.”

This oath was sincere.

It was what I had to do, what I wanted to do.

Leopold nodded and raised his scepter high.

“Then, as the rightful Emperor of the Empire, Leopold Glantz Wittelsbach, I hereby declare that Median shall no longer be known as a Count’s house!”

The jewel at the end of the scepter sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

“…This is the first reward I bestow upon you. Will you accept it?”

“It is an honor.”

I nodded.

—

Following this, Hersela’s mother, Aimelra, was posthumously granted the title of Marquis, and the Median family naturally ascended to the rank of a Marquis house.

Given that we were descendants of the Twelve Knights, it was only a matter of time before we became a Marquis house. My achievements just sped up the process.

The Median Marquis house…

It’s a grand title, though the family consists of only me.

Thinking about it, it’s kind of funny.

Since I’m the only member of the family, I’m effectively the head of the Median house, but due to my age and the Empire’s laws regarding succession, I’m still officially just the heir.

It’ll take at least two years before I’m formally recognized as the head and officially become a Marquis. That’s a long time.

Not that I’m complaining.

It’s already an established fact that I’ll eventually become a Marquis, and no noble would dare disrespect the Empire’s strongest knight, who practically made Leopold Emperor, by calling me just a Count.

Even Duke Bien, though he’s clearly unhappy, can’t openly say anything about it.

Aside from the title, many other things were bestowed upon me.

A vast territory covering about 70% of Landerburg, Isabella’s mansion, and a reward of 8,000 gold.

Additionally, it was officially announced that the Margrave of Landerburg, who had been my guardian, had named me his successor.

“Good heavens…! The successor to Landerburg?!”

Surprisingly, this seemed to be news to many, as the nobles were visibly shocked.

“Is this acceptable, Duke…? If the territories of two houses are combined, the scale alone…”

Some whispered to Duke Bien, concerned that too much power was being concentrated in one person.

As if lowering their voices would make a difference.

“Enough nonsense. Keep your mouths shut.”

Already aware of the situation, Duke Bien furrowed his brow and silenced the nobles speaking to him.

Given Duke Bien’s personality, he’s probably desperately wishing for me to die without an heir.

After all, if I die, both the Median and Landerburg houses would dissolve.

—

After listing the rewards and their significance, Leopold began a lengthy speech wishing for the Empire’s peace and prosperity.

The Imperial Army had suffered heavy losses, and the threats from external enemies were growing stronger. Now was the time for nobles and commoners alike to unite and stand together.

In short, he was asking the nobles to cooperate with the royal family and the commoners to enlist in the Imperial Army.

Even such obvious statements, thanks to the cathedral’s atmosphere and Leopold’s charisma, became a persuasive speech.

Though I’m not sure how effective it’ll be.

The nobles aside, the commoners all looked moved…though such emotions usually don’t last more than three days.

Leopold probably isn’t expecting much either.

With Leopold’s speech, the nearly hour-and-a-half-long award ceremony finally came to a close.

As the royal musicians began playing the Empire’s national anthem, the knights, soldiers, and noblemen joined in singing.

The song sounded familiar, and after some thought, I realized it was the BGM that played when Isabella destroyed the capital.

Good grief.

The Empire’s national anthem is the prelude to its destruction? That’s some dark humor.

Between Lacey’s full name and this, the creators really have a taste for the morbid…