Hero's Welcome in the Capital
"Your Highness the Crown Prince! Hooray! Hooray! Hip hip hooray!!!"
"You look so dashing!!!"
The triumphal procession was being held in the capital, but news of the victory had already spread throughout the entire empire.
That was why people had poured out into the streets of every city they passed through.
An indescribably lavish welcome followed them everywhere.
"Aren't those the heroes who captured the enemy's warships?"
"That lieutenant colonel at the front... his build really is something else."
"So cool!!!"
The cheers weren't just for the Crown Prince—they were directed at me, Major Garen, and Lieutenant Colonel Schultz as well.
I had no idea how the warship capture operation had become so widely known.
Actually, I do know.
It's probably a ploy to mock the Aditz Empire.
Think about it.
Not only did they let their guard down and lose their warships, but we used them to blow up their own fleet?
Just hearing the story makes them sound like utter fools.
"Captain, at least wave your hand. All the girls are staring right at you."
Major Garen teased me playfully, poking my side.
"Ha... haha, got it."
There was nothing I could do about it—we were among the few young men at the front of the procession, alongside the Crown Prince.
Excluding the Crown Prince as an exception, having one young guy mixed in draws all the attention.
This was like...
Some twenty-something boldly sitting at the Nobel Prize ceremony.
"Getting close to the capital is making me tense. Whew."
Major Garen took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Is it that nerve-wracking?"
"We have to meet His Majesty the Emperor in person. How could I not be? What if I mess up?"
"After such great merits, they'd overlook a minor slip. Relax."
"Maybe you're so calm because you're a noble."
"Calm..."
I wasn't particularly tense, true.
But it wasn't because I was used to emperors—it was because I had no room for tension.
I'm too busy worrying about my future to stress over a parade.
I was shaking with dread.
My military life ahead, now that escape had failed.
Is there no such thing as parental leave here?
I wasn't even married yet, but damn, I just wanted to run.
"Your expression soured suddenly. Something wrong?"
"Nothing at all, sir. War just seems so exhausting."
"Same here. It brings too much pain. That's why we have to end it quickly."
That wasn't quite what I meant, but I just nodded.
"Yes, the sooner the better."
"Not my place to say as the tense one, but enjoy the victory's joy now. It'll give you strength for the next step."
"The next step... I'll try."
It wasn't wrong, so despite the embarrassment, I waved a bit as I urged my horse toward the capital.
"This road seems too narrow to accommodate the entire procession."
"We'll find an alternative."
"Plan it so citizens can come out and watch."
"Understood."
Rene, in charge of the procession excluding the banquet, reviewed plans in a temporary office at the palace.
"No room for shortcomings in this vital event. Everyone, work hard."
"Yes, Your Highness."
With the princess working tirelessly herself, no one complained.
"Aren't you pushing too hard?"
Late evening after sunset, Minister Rosen visited the office.
"His Majesty entrusted it to me personally, so I have to."
"Haha, still, take care of your health. Can't have you collapsing on the day."
"Yes, I will."
Rene gave Rosen a faint smile.
"Any shortages in preparations?"
"Budget came through generously, so no major issues. If anything, manpower—but we've maxed that out already."
"Good. That's a relief."
"One thing I'm curious about: Why isn't Uncle in the procession? His Majesty's decision?"
Rosen scratched his cheek with slender fingers at Rene's question.
"His own choice, I heard. Even if he wanted to, His Majesty would have blocked it."
"Why? He was in the battle. Shouldn't he join the triumph proudly?"
A perfectly reasonable question.
But the world doesn't always run on common sense.
"You know His Majesty wants no risks, even small ones. That was the promise."
"What promise? It's just abuse, making him suffer."
"Ha... haha."
Rosen gave an awkward laugh at the potentially dangerous topic.
"Uncle risks more than anyone for the empire, yet has to live like that? I don't get it."
"His Majesty knows that full well."
"Then...! Sigh, never mind. Pointless."
Not a new issue, so Rene gave up and shook her head.
"And sorry, but we need to add one event to the schedule."
"An event?"
"Not long—His Majesty will award second-class military medals to three here. Need a ceremony midway."
"Second-class, not third...?"
Military medals ranged from first to ninth class; third was standard for battle merits.
"Yes, he was deeply impressed by the report. At tonight's banquet, he called Captain Palan Oclo the empire's treasure. Probably backing him strongly."
"Captain Palan Oclo getting second-class... youngest ever?"
"Not quite—170 years ago, a 13-year-old commoner disguised as Crown Prince, sacrificed himself, got first-class."
"How do you know that?"
"Live long enough, you flip through history books out of boredom."
Rosen smiled kindly.
"Confusing every time. You look just a bit older than me."
Not just Rene—long-time palace folk felt the same about ageless Rosen.
"Advantage and disadvantage."
"Seems all advantage to me. Anyway, second-class at that age is impressive."
"Personally, beyond impressive—astonishing. Capturing warships beyond sealed docks. Bold, no?"
No one read the report without marveling.
Rene included.
"Yes. Same age as me, yet