Chapter 94
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Chapter 94
The dance, which had felt interminably long, finally came to an end.
Claude and I faced each other and bowed respectfully.
Belated embarrassment washed over me, making it nearly impossible to meet his gaze.
Had the Emperor not appeared at such a timely moment, I would have squirmed in mortification throughout the entire evening.
"Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
The Emperor, who had revealed himself from the second floor, gazed down at the nobles standing on the first floor with a pleased smile. At this, I stepped several paces away from Claude.
"I am grateful to all of you for taking time from your busy schedules to grace this occasion with your presence."
The nobles, who had hastily adjusted their attire, bowed respectfully toward the Emperor.
"Please, be at ease. This gathering was not created to make any of you uncomfortable."
The Emperor, who wore a broad smile, surveyed the assembled nobles carefully before speaking once more.
"I believe you all understand the significance of this banquet."
The nobles nodded at the Emperor's words.
"This gathering has been held to commend the Monster Subjugation Corps for their efforts in safeguarding the Empire's security and prosperity."
The eyes of the nobles, who had been watching the Emperor, turned toward Claude and me. Some among them also gazed upon Lucian, who stood with the other corps members.
"Despite the many adverse conditions, I can only express my gratitude to the members who completely vanquished the forest's monsters and returned safely. Thanks to you...."
The Emperor spared no praise for the Monster Subjugation Corps.
He emphasized our efforts and sacrifices repeatedly to the assembled nobles.
"...In light of this, I shall bestow great rewards upon you to commend your achievements."
'At last!'
At the words I had been waiting for, I regained my flagging concentration. I listened intently to what he was saying rather than letting it pass through one ear and out the other.
The rewards were not only of interest to me, as the eyes of the other nobles also brightened.
"First, I shall confer the rank of Knight upon all soldiers who participated in the subjugation."
At the Emperor's declaration, the eyes of the soldiers gathered in the corner of the banquet hall widened in astonishment.
It was already a miracle that soldiers had participated in the banquet at all. Yet they were being granted a rank as well.
Knight was not a rank easily obtained. Only those who passed rigorous examinations could receive it through a formal investiture ceremony.
Moreover, their salaries would increase dramatically compared to what they had earned as soldiers.
'To promote so many soldiers to the rank of Knight all at once...'
I watched as the corps members made deep bows toward the Emperor.
Given that the rewards bestowed upon the soldiers were of this magnitude, I grew even more curious about what rewards Lucian and I would receive.
"To the Knights, including the Vice-Commander, I shall grant reward money along with positions as officers of the Imperial Knight Order."
"It is an honor."
Xenon and the other Knights bowed respectfully.
"Finally, to Claude Agris, Lucella Rilprey, and Lucian Bellomen—the true heroes of this subjugation."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Claude and I answered respectfully and stepped forward. Lucian, who had been snacking on canapés, hurried over and stood beside me.
"To the three of you, I shall grant reward money along with a portion of the subjugated forest as territory."
At this extraordinary declaration, I lifted my bowed head sharply.
'He's granting us a portion of the Monster Forest as territory?'
This was a far more extraordinary reward than monetary compensation or the bestowal of titles.
Acquiring personal territory rather than family territory was certainly significant, but what mattered most was...
'The Monster Forest contains mana stones buried within it.'
The corpses of monsters drained of their magical essence became excellent fertilizer, creating mana stones.
In the original story, this fact only comes to light years after the monster subjugation ends. It took quite a long time to purify the magical energy scattered across the land.
'Most importantly, in the original story, the Emperor doesn't grant territory to Claude.'
In the original story, the Emperor rewarded Claude with various treasures and gold instead.
'Not only is he giving away land, but he's even bestowing it upon me and Lucian. It seems the results of this subjugation have pleased him greatly.'
It was an even more bewildering gift because I had never imagined such a thing.
"We are honored, Your Majesty."
Claude, Lucian, and I bowed respectfully toward the Emperor.
"Heh heh, how modest of you."
The Emperor's face as he looked down upon us showed no regret. Seeing that his expression held no lingering attachment, it appeared he still didn't know that mana stones emerged from the Monster Forest.
'Either way, it benefits us.'
An Emperor would never be so petty as to take back what he had already given.
In other words, Lucian and I not only possessed land directly bestowed by the Emperor, but would also come to hold numerous high-quality mana stones in our hands.
This would certainly be a tremendous help in establishing Lucian's position within the family.
'Even if the plan falls apart and Lucian and I end up leaving the House of Bellomen, we could still survive.'
Simply selling the mana stones that emerged from the land would yield a fortune.
'All the effort risking our lives for this subjugation was worth it.'
I watched the Emperor continue speaking to the nobles and felt the corners of my mouth rise.
It felt as though I had acquired a reassuring insurance policy.
"Well, there's no benefit in prolonging this further, so let us end here. Everyone, please enjoy the evening to your heart's content."
After exchanging a few more words, the Emperor added a brief farewell and withdrew from his seat.
Once the Emperor departed, the musicians who had paused resumed their performance. The nobles, who had maintained silence throughout, began forming small groups and chattering amongst themselves.
"Congratulations, Marquis Agris."
"Ah, Count Delcy."
As the atmosphere lightened somewhat, nobles began approaching Claude one by one. They were the ones who had been watching him intently since we first entered.
'Of course. Agris is among the most powerful figures.'
I took Lucian and moved to another location so Claude could converse comfortably with the nobles.
My role at banquets was always that of a shadow. With little power to my name and having lost my title to my uncle while living as a dependent in my brother-in-law's household, no one welcomed me.
Yet this banquet was different.
"Good evening, Miss Rilprey."
There was someone who approached me first.
"I am Rose, the mistress of the Stanley Earldom."
The young noblewoman who introduced herself as Rose approached me with a gentle smile.
"Good evening, Lady Stanley. I am Lucella Rilprey. Shouldn't you greet her too, Lucian?"
"I am Lucian of the House of Bellomen."
"Oh my. How well-mannered."
Lady Stanley laughed warmly upon receiving Lucian's greeting.
"I've heard the young master is quite spirited. Yet he seems far more composed than the rumors suggest."
It was a manner of speech typical of nobility, emphasizing the rumor that Lucian was a troublemaker.
"Through the monster subjugation, I was reborn as a dignified Lucian."
Lucian, unaware of the hidden meaning behind those words, opened his mouth with a satisfied expression.
"My, how admirable."
Beginning with Countess Stanley's exclamation, the nobles who had only been stealing glances at us from a distance began to approach rapidly.
"You speak so beautifully as well."
"Truly worthy of an heir to such a prestigious duchy."
They praised Lucian in their own various ways.
'Perhaps some of it is because Lucian differs from the rumors....'
The greatest reason for their favorable attitudes toward Lucian was undoubtedly what he had gained through this subjugation.
Lucian not only received a substantial reward from the Emperor through the monster subjugation, but had even gained his support. For the nobles, there was nothing to lose in becoming close to him.
"Come now, Ena. Pay your respects to the young lord."
"Is Young Lord Lucian seven years old this year? Then you haven't been betrothed yet?"
The noblewomen with children around Lucian's age were desperately eager to forge some connection between their own offspring and Lucian.
And.
"I hear Miss Rilprey also possesses a mysterious ability?"
"I've heard that thanks to that ability, the subjugation was able to conclude so successfully."
"How did you come to participate in such a remarkable endeavor? It's truly admirable!"
People's attention began to pour toward me as well.
"Aha, ha...."
Rather than answering with Lucian's confidence, I could only laugh foolishly.
I had always made myself a wallflower in high society. I had no idea how to respond to such excessive attention from so many people.
"But I saw you entering with Marquis Agris earlier.... Is there something between the two of you?"
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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