Chapter 583: Honorary Ceremony

The horse’s movement blurred my vision. Even though my mind wasn’t at peace, I was grateful for the horse that simply kept me moving towards my goal. I felt like I’d been thinking the same thing for the past few days.

The return to the capital with the 20,000 New Kingdom troops and wounded soldiers was remarkably smooth. Despite the death snow march, there were no attacks from magical beasts, and as for the encounter with the Old Kingdom army, which I’d feared most, there wasn’t even a trace of them.

It was as if killing Zebrililith had solved all problems. The New Kingdom army arrived at the capital without a single obstacle.

「…I have a bad feeling. A really bad feeling. 」

I muttered to myself as I looked at the capital, Ashe. While it didn’t shine with the same grandeur as before, its fortified appearance exuded a certain imposing presence. That made it all the more unsettling.

「I understand what you’re trying to say, but shouldn’t we be happy that we’ve returned safely? 」

Filaret, standing beside me, widened her dark eyes as she spoke. A hint of relief was visible in her expression.

The surrounding soldiers felt the same. Seeing the royal capital, their destination, so clearly visible, must have filled the soldiers with excitement.

Perhaps I was an overly pessimistic person.

「Why aren’t the Old Kingdom’s troops here? That’s what scares me the most. When things are going well, usually something nasty is happening behind the scenes. 」

「I think you’re overthinking it a bit. Good things can happen as well, right? 」

I frowned. My hand gripping the reins went slightly numb. Filaret’s words were true, but it was hard to accept them readily.

After all, the Old Kingdom’s army, having captured Fort Medraut so quickly, had a geographical advantage. Even with a force of 60,000 men, they could have surrounded the capital before our army arrived if they had pushed hard enough, or conversely, they could have waited for us on the plains and killed us.

Regardless of the outcome, that was certainly a much better option than letting 20,000 troops enter the capital and fortify its defenses.

Especially Valerie, the embodiment of violence, wouldn’t miss such an opportunity. She was undoubtedly a tactical genius.

And yet, we arrived at the capital unscathed, without a single battle.

Anxiety was creeping down my throat.

I didn’t want the worst-case scenario to happen as predicted, but if my prediction was wrong, then something even worse than I could have imagined would be happening.

And besides…why did not Valerie initiate a battle?

…I could have avenged the old man right there and then.

Richard lost his life again, saving me, and yet here I was, leisurely returning to the capital. That fact was an unbearable wound, slowly driving me to the brink of madness.

「…Lugis. 」

Filaret said softly. Her voice made me realize I had been looking down without realizing it. When I looked up, I saw her beautiful lips rippling, creating lines on her face.

「We can’t do anything about it right now. Besides, you’re not fully recovered, so it’s a good thing that we didn’t encounter any enemies. 」

「You’re right, it’s not like I’ve recovered completely. So let’s talk. Yes, a more cheerful topic would be better. Is there anything amusing to say? 」

I blurted it out without thinking. No matter how hard I tried, I didn’t feel like my thoughts would move in a positive direction on my own.

Things about the old man, about the Old Kingdom’s army…and about Helot Stanley, who was probably in the enemy army. It felt as if each of those things was intertwining and strangling me.

I knew all too well that Filaret was worried about me. It was my turn to worry about her now considering what happened these past few days.

「Something cheerful, huh? 」

Filaret placed her slender fingertips to her lips, closing her mouth for a moment. Then, with a smile, she said…

「Speaking of which…you and Caria were talking alone the other day, what were you talking about? 」

I had a feeling it wasn’t something cheerful. My cheeks twitched unconsciously. It wasn’t that anything in particular had happened, though.

Filaret’s words had a surprising sharpness, and I even sensed a desperate sincerity that was the opposite of her smile.

「I think you can rely on me as much as, or even more than, Caria, you know? 」

「…Well. I rely on you quite a bit. But aren’t you misunderstanding something? 」

「What? 」

Filaret tilted her head, while showing a beautiful smile on her face, without even the slightest distortion. It possessed a beauty that could be depicted in a painting, but it also evoked a strange sense of dread.

How could I describe it? I sensed a certain imposing presence in every word Filaret spoke, something she hadn’t possessed before. It was as if she would slit my throat if I let my guard down.

「…No, it’s nothing. Let’s talk about it later. We’re in the capital now, Filaret. Look ahead. 」

The soldiers passed through the gates, greeted by the citizens of the capital. Their lively and cheerful voices could still be heard even from a considerable distance away.

I certainly couldn’t let them see us having this strange exchange. At the very least, I wanted to satisfy them.

「Hmm. Later, later. I understand. 」

Filaret spoke a word or two, as if savoring the words, before speaking again. Her face was already facing forward.

「…I don’t take verbal promises lightly, Lugis. I haven’t forgotten a single promise you’ve made. Now, how many promises have piled up until now? You remember them, don’t you? 」

No, this was definitely not a cheerful topic. A chill ran down my spine as I gripped the reins tighter.

—

Upon our return, two ceremonies were immediately held: a triumphal procession and an honorary ceremony. The venue for the ceremonies was the recently rebuilt church, transformed into a sanctuary for the Heraldic Order. It was remarkably well done considering it was put together in just a few days.

The army marched through the capital, spreading the news of their victory, and the citizens cheered, reveling in the momentary glory. The honorary ceremony was to report the victory to the Queen and to literally bestow honor upon them.

This was truly a ritual.

The great catastrophe was over, the times had changed, and above all, it was a ceremony to demonstrate to both domestic and international audiences that the new Gharast Kingdom had defeated the Great Demon Zebrililith.

The situation was still unsettled. Conflict with the Old Kingdom’s army was imminent. Even the boisterous citizens understood that it was still wartime.

But precisely because of this, the post-victory ceremony had to be held to solidify their position. They needed to demonstrate that they had won.

…This might be evidence of just how fragile Queen Philos’ position was.

If she didn’t continue to assert her claims like this, then it wouldn’t be surprising if she fell from her throne at any moment.

Inside the church, Philos sat on a chair resembling a throne, addressing each of the assembled officials and soldiers, calling out to each one who had distinguished themselves. While clear rewards couldn’t be given yet, it was more of a contract promising appropriate rewards once things settled down.

With each name called, everyone grew increasingly convinced that victory had finally been achieved.

「…General Lugis! 」

Philos’ voice echoed through the church. I involuntarily tensed my spine and hunched my cheeks.

I still couldn’t stand these rituals even though I knew it was necessary. I hated having to follow a predetermined procedure step by step. It was unbearable.

I took a step forward in my military uniform while shaking off the surrounding gazes. While the honorary ceremony was normally attended in formal attire, many were in uniform today.

Partly because time was limited, but also as if to assert that this was their formal attire.

At the innermost part of the sanctuary, I knelt before Philos, who remained seated on the throne. Not in her usual voice, which held a hint of ulterior motive, but in a voice befitting a ruler, she spoke.

「Well done. You have successfully defeated the great demon…I swear that I will surely reward your great achievement. I bestow upon you the first honor of war. If there is anything you desire, speak. 」

My thoughts wavered for a moment at the mention of a desire.

Land and titles were far beyond my means, and it was clear I would be overwhelmed by them. And if asked if I wanted money, compared to the time I slept in alleyways, then my current life was beyond my wildest dreams. I felt I had always answered that way when asked what I desired. But now, there was only one thing I wanted. Something I needed more than anything else.

「Then, Your Majesty, I would like to ask for one assurance. 」

「…Continue. 」

Philos remained seated, her voice slightly surprised. Her bangs swayed, and she leaned forward just enough for me to notice.

Then, I spoke without any hesitation.

「…The honor of Richard Permilis. He was once granted the title of Hero by the Cathedral and the Kingdom, but he himself lost it. But everyone here knows he was a Hero. I would like him to be lauded as a true Hero, and all the officers and soldiers who followed him to be recorded in history as national heroes. 」

「…You mean, not as a fallen warrior, but as a victorious hero? 」

「Yes. So that his name is never tarnished. 」

I knew that the old man wouldn’t want this. Even so, I couldn’t help but wish for it.

Normally, both the old man and his soldiers would only be remembered as fallen soldiers. They might be granted some honor, but the fort still fell. That was the reality even though they were outnumbered.

Therefore, one possibility arose.

Perhaps the truth would be distorted, and the old man’s name would be tarnished by unknown figures, merely that of a defeated commander. His name might be toyed with by those who never even knew him.

…Such a thing couldn’t be tolerated, even after this country had fallen into ruin.

Where did the honorable men lie, and who were the true heroes? I believed I could answer that question with confidence.

「Very well! Lugis. Under your loyalty to me, I swear to fulfill my promise. Bring the historian here! 」

Philos was momentarily speechless, but I knew she wasn’t the kind of person to break her word. A slight sigh of relief escaped my lips.

At least for now, it seemed unlikely that the old man would be treated unfairly. I offered my final bow and raised my head.

For a moment, my eyes met Philos’. She gestured to stop the historian who had rushed over and then spoke. Her voice sounded more like Philos’ own voice than that of a ruler.

「…This is fine for now. But from here on, preparations for the final battle will begin. No matter what form it takes, you will no longer be able to travel as you wish. Keep that in mind. 」

「…I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty. 」

I bowed once more and turned back. The sound of the victory bells filled the air.

The sound of these bells, while somehow solemn, clearly announced that the next battle was imminent.

Why? The familiar sounds of my homeland felt terribly ominous.

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