Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Medal Award Ceremony
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"...It's possible."
"Indeed. Of course, our empire will emerge victorious. But..."
Yujin hardened his expression.
"A victory marred only by wounds, is that it?"
"Yes. And with the Fenrir incident from before, on top of that, those filthy cultists are gearing up to run rampant..."
Russel clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Blasphemous as it may be, our imperial ancestors were far too greedy and far too capable. But they weren't omniscient, only omnipotent, so they left behind the seeds of destruction. Like a sandcastle that looks solid on the outside. Of course, it's a massive one that will sweep away everything around it when it crumbles."
They should have wiped it all out without leaving a single root behind, but our ancestors held back more than expected—
Russel's eyes sank deeply. His hand trembled faintly for an instant.
"On top of that, the noble faction led by the Northern Grand Duke is tightening our noose by the second. They're stirring up internal strife without knowing their place."
"...Problems both externally and internally, then."
So this is a romance fantasy novel, after all.
The bad blood between the Northern Grand Duke and the imperial family—isn't that common knowledge in the novel?
'...Tch.'
"And to top it off, my brother the Crown Prince... Haah. No need to spell it out—you know already."
...I know all too well. The Crown Prince must be the result of the Emperor rolling the child gacha and whiffing it. Seems like he got the short end of the imperial family's superior genes.
"This time, let me apologize on his behalf for the disturbance he caused at the victory banquet."
"No need, Your Highness."
Russel shook his head.
"Accept my apology."
With someone like this around, why did the Emperor choose the Crown Prince...?
'No, it has to be the principle of primogeniture.'
Not even the Emperor could easily discard the empire's long-standing traditions. Of course, imperial history does have cases where the eldest didn't inherit.
But... those were too long ago. That's the problem.
"...In any case, I can no longer sit idly by. In the short grace period left, I plan to throw myself into the race for the throne and stabilize the empire from within."
Russel was imagining the worst possible future that might unfold.
And so, Yujin was important to Russel.
The war hero Yujin, who could become a great ally if he joined his side—his power.
"Will you lend me your strength?"
Russel extended his hand once more.
And—
"...Of course, Your Highness. As a subject of the empire, safeguarding the empire and upholding the glory of the imperial family is my duty."
Yujin grasped his hand.
Russel flashed a deep smile.
"I see. Thank you."
And so, the day of the medal award ceremony arrived.
The Emperor ascended the podium and delivered a speech directly to the capital's subjects. Nobles, soldiers, and commoners all rose in unanimous applause.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap—!!!!!!!
Finally, the medal ceremony began.
The Emperor personally called out the names of those to receive medals, one by one.
"Medic Corporal Serden, step forward."
The first was a medic who had thrown himself into the battlefield without regard for his own life, saving countless soldiers.
"Soldier Sergeant Giyotin, step forward."
The second was a soldier who, prepared for death, hurled a grenade alone into enemy lines, crippling their communications.
"Knight Jephir, step forward."
The third was a knight who faced an entire enemy battalion alone to cover his allies' retreat and miraculously survived.
"Mage Roroph, step forward."
The fourth was a mage whose exceptional detection magic had foreseen the enemy army's approach, greatly reducing sacrifices.
"Nurse, Dersan Lady, step forward."
The fifth was a noble lady who, despite her status, went to the front lines and devotedly treated and cared for countless soldiers.
...
..
.
The Emperor's calls continued thereafter.
Clap clap clap clap—!!!!!
Soldiers, nobles, and commoners all sent their respect and praise to those called, with one heart and mind.
The empire does not abandon those who devoted themselves to it.
And finally—
"Hero of the Empire, Marquis Yujin Banus, step forward."
Yujin was called.
He walked slowly toward the Emperor.
With every step, countless gazes converged on him.
Someone's jealousy.
Someone's fear.
Someone's respect.
Someone's envy.
Someone's awe.
Someone's goodwill.
Yujin impassively withstood the stares and knelt on one knee before the Emperor.
"Your servant, Yujin Banus, has arrived at Your Majesty's summons."
The Emperor regarded Yujin with eyes full of steadfast trust. At this moment, Yujin was the protagonist here, above all others.
The Emperor slowly recited Yujin's achievements.
"He annihilated several enemy legions single-handedly."
"He beheaded an enemy Master."
"He captured the capital of the Espelin Kingdom."
The list of feats went on.
Operations that should have failed succeeded thanks to Yujin; retreats forced by supply issues proceeded without losses because of him.
Feats that others would pass down through generations after a single one—Yujin had accomplished them as casually as eating.
"For these reasons, We bestow upon the empire's most loyal hero the [Grand Cross Iron Cross Grand Star]."
Grand Cross Iron Cross Grand Star.
It was the empire's highest medal, awarded to only two people in Argentus history.
And now, with Yujin, it made three in history.
Yujin felt the weight of the medal pinned to his chest by the Emperor and raised his head.
"We shall always bless you."
"I am deeply honored, Your Majesty."
At that moment, he felt a piercing glare.
The sources were the Northern Grand Duke and the Crown Prince.
They directed cold stares at Yujin.
'...'
Yujin met their eyes and stared particularly long at the Northern Grand Duke. The Crown Prince inwardly cursed Yujin, thinking he was being ignored.
'...Calderon Grand Duke.'
The one who dared show hostility toward the imperial family. Still just suspicion, but the one who had acted on it and posed a threat. Had Yujin not been there, everyone at the hunt would have died.
Even Lucia and Irene, who had somehow wormed into a corner of his heart, might have been torn apart by that massive Fenrir's claws.
'...He might have survived, though, the Northern Grand Duke.'
He was probably behind the Fenrir incident. Not the true culprit, but deeply involved.
So he'd have prepared a way to save himself.
...Yujin's gaze darkened.
But before the surroundings could notice their clash of auras, Yujin returned to his seat.
Arguing now would just devolve into pointless emotional bickering.
As he returned, Irene from across the way gave a small wave.
'Congratulations, Yujin.'
She seemed to mouth the words.
Yujin gave a small smile and smiled back at her.
Then, his eyes met those of the mustachioed middle-aged man beside her.
'Next to her... must be Duke Arkabella.'
Irene's father, Duke Arkabella, eyed Yujin like he was sizing up a son-in-law prospect.
The duke had heard reports from below and realized who his daughter was interested in.
Of course, that gaze was quickly withdrawn.
Soon, the medal ceremony neared its end. The final order was a memorial for those who died in the war and a moment of silence.
"All, observe silence."
Everyone closed their eyes and bowed their heads.
And faintly, he murmured someone's name.
"...Jane."
Of course, his murmur was quietly swallowed by the sobs echoing throughout the plaza.
They too had each lost someone dear in the war.
Lovers, family, friends.
No matter how glorious the victory, war was a massive hell that devoured blood and lives.
...The deaths of those precious ones were, in a way, inevitable.
Yujin observed silence now for the survivors and those left behind.
"...May you find peace there."
He could only hope.
After the medal ceremony ended, Irene from across the way approached Yujin.
Of course, she wasn't alone. Her father, Duke Arkabella, was with her.
The nobles who had been heading toward Yujin stopped and kept their distance when they saw the duke approach.
Duke Arkabella, meeting Yujin's eyes, extended his hand. Irene smiled with her eyes from behind him.
"Pleased to meet you, Marquis Banus. I am Duke Arkabella."
"The pleasure is mine, Duke."
They shook hands lightly.
"Congratulations on the medal award, Marquis. The Grand Cross Iron Cross Grand Star... awarded only twice in history until now. Truly congratulations. Glory will follow the Banus family from here on."
"Thank you."
Duke Arkabella glanced back and forth between Yujin's face and Irene's.
"I'll invite you to the ducal residence sometime."
It sounded less like duke-to-marquis or noble-to-noble, and more like father-of-a-daughter speaking.
'He's caught on to some extent.'
Well, a father interested in his daughter couldn't miss it.
Above all, since Yujin had decided to take responsibility for both Irene and Lucia, he chose to be upfront.
"No need. I'll visit first."
"I see."
Duke Arkabella nodded. Irene behind him beamed brightly.