Chapter 72
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 072
Chapter Title: Hero and Merit Awards (1)
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The next day, I headed out with the burly trio.
The war was over, but the cleanup was still ongoing.
I planned to lend a hand.
Oh, and Staling was with us too, just so you know.
He had to stick around here for a while.
So, I figured I'd have him tag along to help people get used to his face.
'Everyone's so busy.'
Looking around, I saw people rushing about everywhere.
Of course they were.
There were mountains of work piled up.
Tending to the wounded, collecting the dead, clearing away the rotting undead corpses, repairing the damaged palisades, sorting through the rubble of collapsed buildings...
That was just what came to mind off the top of my head.
"Lord Heros."
"Yeah?"
That's when Bear called out to me in a low voice.
I turned to him, and he quickly scanned our surroundings before continuing.
"Everyone's staring at us."
I glanced around, and sure enough, he was right.
The busy folks peeked over as they hurried on their way, while those with a bit more time stood still, watching me intently.
When our eyes met by chance, they'd bow their heads and pay their respects.
Actions more fitting for nobles.
'This is pretty overwhelming.'
That's what I was thinking when Conal, standing to my left, spoke up.
"Seems like word about you has spread, Lord Heros."
"What kind of word?"
"You're the one who led us to victory in the war, aren't you? People must know that by now. That's why they're all so interested in you."
It was a plausible guess.
Otherwise, their reactions didn't make any sense.
Anyway, we passed through the half-destroyed palisades under countless gazes.
And when we reached the battlefield...
What caught my eye was a hill made of corpses.
There were similar mounds scattered everywhere.
And even now, another one was being built.
"Just how many people died...?"
Bear let out a sigh at the sight of those corpse pyramids.
"At least ten villages must have been wiped out."
Conal didn't look too good either.
Probably the same as me.
During the battle, it hadn't fully sunk in, but seeing it like this really drove home how much havoc the black mages had wrought.
"I couldn't do anything. I was just dragged around by Desmond..."
I heard Staling mutter.
A quick glance showed him fidgeting uneasily.
He'd been with the black mages against his will, so he must have been feeling guilty about it.
"Heros, what should I do?"
As I watched him, he suddenly looked up at me blankly and asked.
I took a moment to organize my thoughts.
I couldn't just wing a response.
My gut told me whatever I said would have a big impact on him.
"From now on, try helping others. Like how you saved me from Desmond."
I met his eyes directly as I spoke.
A spark returned to his unfocused gaze.
"Lord Heros!"
I'd just finished my advice when someone approached.
It was Godfrey.
The city guard captain and close aide to Count Chester—he seemed to be overseeing the battlefield cleanup.
"Good to see you, Sir Godfrey."
"I wanted to thank you yesterday, but I never got the chance. So let me say it now: thank you for saving Chester."
His voice rang with sincerity.
He really seemed grateful.
"I didn't save the city alone. You led that detachment and broke through enemy lines, taking down plenty of black mages in the process."
I returned the praise—it was the truth.
His unit had eliminated a ton of them.
That was merit in itself.
But Godfrey didn't see it that way.
"Killing a few dozen grunts versus slaying the enemy leader. Even a three-year-old could tell you which matters more. And that mythic battle you and the leader put on yesterday? After witnessing it, how could I boast of my own deeds in your presence?"
Blunt flattery.
It made me cringe a bit.
But his expression was dead serious, so I couldn't show it.
Wouldn't want to offend him.
I simply accepted his thanks graciously.
"Thank you. Hearing such high praise from you makes me proud of what I did."
After replying to Godfrey, I glanced at my companions.
Bear and Conal looked pleased as punch.
They were happy to see me praised.
Staling, on the other hand, was avoiding the knight's gaze—probably uncomfortable facing one of Count Chester's men.
"So, what brings you to the battlefield?"
As I checked on the group, Godfrey suddenly asked.
You should be resting—why come all the way out here?
"To help with the cleanup."
"You've already earned great merit. Why bother with such menial tasks?"
"It'll put my mind at ease."
"A true hero of Chester!"
Godfrey exclaimed in admiration.
That drew even more eyes my way.
I ignored them and asked him,
"Is there anything I can assist with?"
He shook his head firmly.
"None."
"Ah."
"The victory ceremony won't be long now. Rest up at your lodgings until then."
Victory ceremony.
The event held after winning a war.
Merit awards would probably happen then too.
The thought sparked my curiosity.
'What reward will I get?'
I'd already received plenty from Count Chester.
Weapons and armor for the burly trio.
A magic staff.
Oh, and food and money support besides.
But the top hero's prize would be way better.
No clue what it might be.
Then Godfrey said,
"Allow me to congratulate you in advance."
"Out of the blue?"
"You're going to be a lord, aren't you?"
Me, a lord?
What was this now?
I stared at him, questions in my eyes, and he explained after noting my reaction.
"You're the one who turned an overwhelmingly hopeless war into victory. You basically ended it single-handedly. The only fitting reward for such merit is a fief."
"But I'm leaving soon?"
I'd refused to serve under Count Chester.
Yet he'd give me land anyway?
Hard to believe.
Godfrey looked baffled by my confusion as he replied.
"That won't be an issue. Great deeds earn great rewards—it's only natural. If you weren't properly compensated, what would people think of Count Chester?"
"Ah, I see."
I knew nobles cared about face, but not this much.
Handing a fief to someone who's not even his vassal.
Had to hurt the count's coffers.
'Jackpot.'
A fief was nothing but good.
Steady income, for one.
Even if I didn't live there, I could appoint a steward and rake in profits.
Plus, it'd be my fief.
That word alone carried weight.
'Ah, so that's what the count meant yesterday.'
I recalled his words.
He'd said he'd make a place for me to return to.
I hadn't gotten it then, but Godfrey's explanation cleared it up.
He'd been hinting at giving me a fief.
"Just hearing it makes me happy."
I smiled as I replied.
Three days passed since the war's end.
As Count Chester predicted, nobles hounded me the whole time.
Ones who'd ignored me before now showed up at my door to meet.
All for one reason.
Recruiting Mage Heros.
'What a chore.'
Couldn't snub nobles outright.
Had to entertain each visitor.
Mentally exhausting.
But time flew because of it.
The victory ceremony was right around the corner.
'Gonna get hounded by nobles there too, huh?'
With that in mind, I headed to Chester Castle.
The burly trio came along, of course.
They were getting rewards too, just like me.
"Please change into these."
Right after entering the castle.
A servant waiting at the door greeted us and handed over clothes.
White tunic, black cloak, brown boots.
The trio's cloaks were gray, unlike mine.
"The white tunic symbolizes noble intent. The black cloak represents unfathomable wisdom, and the brown boots signify the courage to soil one's feet. Nobility and wisdom alone can't protect the world. A true hero must walk tirelessly, unafraid to get dirty."
In the empty room we followed the servant to, he explained the outfit's meaning as we changed.
It mostly went in one ear and out the other.
So I just nodded vigorously.
Once dressed, we followed him to the hall under his guidance.
That was where the ceremony would be.
"Enter and wait. When your name's called, approach Count Chester. Kneel on your right knee when he bestows the reward."
The servant quickly explained our roles in the merit awards.
Not too tricky.
"You may enter now."
After his crash course, he pointed to the door to the hall.
I took a deep breath and stepped in.
All eyes turned to me.
Nobles and awardees lined the sides of the cleared center.
To my left: nobles.
So I and the trio headed right, joining the mage Nina and the detachment knights.
We took our spots.
I was at the front.
"Congrats."
Nina whispered as I stood beside her.
Celebrating my top merit spot, no doubt.
I thanked her, and we chatted lightly from there.
Before long, the ceremony began.
"Before the merit awards, let us pay respects to those who gave body and soul to this victory."
Count Chester stood at center and started his speech.
Standard stuff.
Couldn't look bored, though.
I listened intently.
And soon, my name rang out.
"Heros!"
First call went to me—the clearest proof I was top hero.
I strode confidently to Count Chester.
He welcomed me with a pleased smile.
Then his face turned solemn as he continued.
"Hero of Chester, Heros. Your courage lit the flame of hope for us. Your wisdom led us to victory. Your magic saved Chester."
Embarrassing praise.
Formal setting made the tone stiff.
I straightened up accordingly.
As I waited, he announced my reward.
"For this, I bestow upon you a fine steed and grant you the fief of Evergreen. All its lands are now yours."
Cheers erupted from all sides as he finished.
I dropped to my right knee and shouted,
"Thank you!"
The moment a village outcast became lord of a fief.