“Address me by my title during work hours.”
Sensing William’s calm gaze sweep over him from the high platform before quickly pulling away, Leon suddenly recalled those words.
Thus, he did not seek eye contact with the Imperial Prime Minister. Instead, he bowed his head just as Miles did, greeting the two figures atop the platform.
“Welcome, the two heroes who saved Solainem.”
A voice, gentle yet resonant with steady power, echoed through the main hall.
Leon looked up at the owner of the voice.
The man wore imperial robes embroidered with golden silk and the Colorless Crown, the symbol of the Heron monarch. In his hand, he held an ancient wooden scepter that seemed slightly out of place with his station.
But the most striking feature was his eyes—golden pupils that seemed to shimmer with starlight.
Golden eyes were the hallmark of the Cassius royal bloodline of the Heron Empire.
The man standing before him in imperial robes, a faint smile on his face, was the current ruler of the Heron Empire—Cassius VII, Adrian Cassius.
He was also known as the “Sage King.”
His reputation for wisdom was praised by the common folk, his deeds were sung throughout the Empire, and his portrait could be found in every household, as ubiquitous as tables and chairs.
Yet, this very man, universally acknowledged as a wise king, had personally orchestrated the Solainem Tragedy...
With that thought in mind, Leon looked up at the Sage King.
The Sage King stood upon the high platform, his gaze holding a gentle serenity that seemed as though it would never change. His voice rang clearly through the hall.
“Raise your heads, heroes of Solainem.”
“It was your wisdom and courage that dispersed the gloom shrouding Solainem; it was your persistence and conviction that allowed the Empire’s glory to reappear in the darkness.”
“You are the ones who truly saved Solainem.”
Miles raised his head, his voice humble and clear.
“I thank Your Majesty for the praise. But the ones who saved Solainem were not the two of us, but everyone who held firm on that land. They saved themselves.”
Leon took a deep breath and followed up. “Bishop Miles is exactly right. The true saviors of Solainem were the resilient people of that city who never gave up, not us.”
The Sage King’s voice remained warm and steady as it descended from the platform.
“The persistence of the people is indeed precious, but without you two, the gray mist of Solainem would not have been dispersed so quickly, and the barrier would not have been repaired in time.”
“By then, what awaited that city would have been a true massacre of all living things.”
“Humility is the source of your strength, but you need not decline the merit that belongs to you.”
Having said that, he raised his hand slightly in a solemn declaration.
“Today, in the name of the Heron Empire and the Cassius family, I bestow upon you the Guardian Silver Star Medal.”
“It commemorates your feat of saving a city and carries the Empire’s supreme praise for loyalty and courage.”
A line of attendants stepped steadily through the main hall’s doors, carrying medals that shimmered with a silver glow.
The Sage King descended the steps from the platform and personally pinned the medals to their chests. He patted Leon and Miles on their shoulders respectively, his voice warm and powerful.
“The Empire is proud of you.”
Leon looked at the medal hanging from his chest; this was a “political asset” personally awarded by the Emperor.
With this Guardian Silver Star Medal, his future promotions to High Priest or Bishop, or even a direct transition to a Divine Official, would be much easier.
Previously, Leon could have been promoted rapidly thanks to his status in the Douglas family. However, Thomas had also mentioned that the Sage King and the Pope were reforming the Church together. Even his father, William, the Imperial Prime Minister, was unwilling to interfere in internal Church matters.
Naturally, if Leon wanted to rise within the Church now, connections wouldn't work; he had to rely on merit.
And this Guardian Silver Star Medal was a significant merit.
However, such merit... had been traded for with the lives of the people of Solainem.
After the investiture ceremony concluded, the Sage King once again praised the two for saving Solainem in his gentle and steady voice.
Then, he looked at Miles and said in a level tone, “Bishop Miles, you have had a long journey. You may go and rest now.”
Miles bowed solemnly. “Yes, Your Majesty. This subject takes his leave.”
Leon bowed as well, intending to leave with him, but then he heard the Sage King’s voice again.
“Priest Leon, please stay for a moment.”
Leon’s footsteps faltered. He turned his head and discreetly stole a glance at his cheap old man on the platform.
William noticed his gaze and shot him a warning glare. Leon quickly lowered his head.
A moment later, the Sage King’s voice rang out once more. “Prime Minister William, you may also go and rest.”
Now it was William’s turn to be stunned.
Wait, I’m supposed to leave too?
He looked at the Sage King, who looked back at him.
Ultimately, William could only bow and take his leave under the Sage King’s gaze, his mind filled with confusion.
The heavy doors of the main hall slowly closed from the outside, leaving only Leon and the Sage King inside.
The Sage King turned to look at Leon and smiled gently. “Your father has left; you don’t need to feel so much pressure.”
Hearing this, Leon also let out a relaxed smile. “Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. When my father is present, there is indeed a bit of pressure. I wonder why Your Majesty kept me here alone...”
“You are lying,” the Sage King suddenly interrupted.
His golden pupils held a gaze that seemed to dissect Leon’s entire being.
“What makes you feel pressure is not your father, but... me.”
The smile on Leon’s face froze for a heartbeat before he quickly resumed it.
“Your Majesty, your reputation for wisdom is as towering as a mountain. To be granted an audience with Your Majesty naturally brings a great deal of pressure...”
“That is not the reason,” the Sage King interrupted again.
“Heavy pressure causes excitement, confusion, fear, and a loss of focus.”
“But you are different.”
The Sage King stared at Leon.
“You are... uneasy, fearful, panicked, and... oh? Angry?”
Leon’s heart sank violently, yet he struggled to maintain a calm facade. “Why would Your Majesty say such a thing? This subject has nothing but loyalty and admiration for Your Majesty...”
“Let me guess,” the Sage King interrupted him once more. His voice remained gentle, but his words were like precision arrows, firing one after another.
“Usually, those who simultaneously harbor unease, fear, panic, and anger toward me are the rebel nobles who oppose the Human Rights Bill.”
“But your emotions are different—your anger carries a rare sense of underlying strength, yet it is mixed with something more complex...”
“Hmm? You seem to believe deeply in my ‘reputation for wisdom’ because of my past decrees. Yet, within that belief, there is a strong mixture of doubt and confusion... This is completely different from those simple rebels.”
The Sage King’s gaze fixed onto Leon’s face, which was being forced into a calm expression.
“So... you have learned the true story behind Solainem?”
Though it was a question, his voice carried absolute certainty.
As for Leon, at this moment... he just wanted to curse!
Rate on N.U.
